THIEVES stole gifts from the grave of a woman days after they had been placed there by her daughter.

Julie Murgatroyd found the grave of her mother had been disturbed by raiders who stole small animal figures.

Miss Murgatroyd, whose mother, Sylvia Murgatroyd, died in May, noticed the "Beanie" figures as well as other gifts had gone when she made a trip to the grave in Little Lever garden of remembrance with her brother. A figure was also stolen on August 5. After replacing the stolen figures, the grave was raided again by thieves.

All but one of the Beanies were found left at the vicarage gates on Wednesday, but the plastic display boxes they were in had been vandalised.

Miss Murgatroyd, aged 31, said: "It first happened on August 5. I went down to put some flowers on the grave and noticed the Beanie was gone. I took another the next week and put a note in the bottom of the box to say that it was my mum's and it should be put back if it was moved by anyone.

"This Tuesday when I visited with my brother we saw that everything had gone. We looked all over the cemetery but it was nowhere to be seen."

Among the stolen objects were a teddy bear which said "World's Best Mum" and a small hedgehog figure.

"The Beanies only cost between £3 and £5. I can't understand why anyone would take them. Anyone who is desperate enough to steal from the dead is scum," said Miss Murgatroyd.

"I don't know whether they have suddenly felt bad for taking them, but they have made a mess of them."

Sgt Bill Crittenden from Bolton Police said: "This must have be very upsetting for the family. It seems unbelieveable that anyone would take treasured items from a grave. We are investigating."