RELATIVES of a much-loved great grandmother have spoken of their distress that sentimental items have been stolen from her grave.

Jennifer Ryan, 57, of Acomb, was well known in York for raising thousands of pounds for charity throughout her life. She passed away last year following a long battle with breast cancer.

Police are now investigating as lanterns and sentimental items left by relatives have been taken from her grave at St Everilda’s Church in Nether Poppleton and a picture of her apparently ripped down and thrown on the ground.

The thefts have been described as heartless and callous by North Yorkshire Police.

Trudy Ryan, Jennifer's daughter, said: " We're really upset. I don't know how anyone could be so disrespectful to steal from someone's grave or throw a picture on the floor as if she was no-one.

"We can't do anything else for her now. She suffered for six years. This is the last thing we can do for her and we just can't understand how someone could do this."

She added that they had seen people drive up to the grave yard who seemed to be acting suspiciously.

The items to have been taken include two chrome lanterns and a heart-shaped light-up wreath.

Mrs Ryan was diagnosed in 2008 and had surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. She went into remission, but three years later discovered another lump in her neck and it was discovered that the cancer had returned.

She was married to Matthew for 39 years and had four daughters, Trudy, Malissa, Angela and Bernadette, along with eight grandchildren and one great grand daughter.

Mrs Ryan lived in York all her life, first attending St Barnabas CE School and then Derwent School, before working as at Craven's sweet factory and at the old city hospital in Wigginton Road.

In her spare time she raised thousands of pounds for charity throughout her life through car boot and jumble sales.

PC Pete McFarlane, of York Police, said: “These items clearly have great sentimental value to the family affected by the theft and they are deeply upset that someone could be so heartless.

“Someone out there knows who was responsible for this callous act and where the stolen items are. Please do the right thing and contact the police if you can help.”

North Yorkshire Police said the theft they are investigating happened between 6pm on October 23 and 12 noon on October 24.

Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Pete McFarlane. Or email pete.mcfarlane@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk