A NORTH Yorkshire hospital has told a woman whose late father's wedding rings disappeared they do not know what happened to them.

John Reed died in Scarborough Hospital last April at the age of 71, and two wedding rings he wore allegedly went missing in the days prior to his death.

His daughter Alison, from Driffield, said she was unhappy with the investigation into the missing rings, and said she felt like she had been lied to and claimed the rings had been stolen.

She has since been sent a letter by the hospital which stated seven people who had been in close contact with Mr Reed had all denied removing his rings, and there was no documentation to suggest they had been taken from him.

She said: "Mum put in an insurance claim, but we're not bothered about the money.

"One was a really thick bright gold ring which had been blessed by a vicar and he wore them both, one on each hand.

"I don't think their investigation has been thorough."

Alison said her mother, Karina, was still emotionally distraught by the theft.

She said: "My mum can't let go.

"I think people do make mistakes and if it was a mistake it could be worded totally differently and I would've had a different outlook but how shallow must someone be to take someone's wedding rings? They aren't like a pair of slippers."

A spokesperson for York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Scarborough Hospital, said: "The Trust has carried out a thorough investigation into this incident and all staff were questioned, including agency staff. Unfortunately the findings were inconclusive. We appreciate how distressing this has been for Mr Reed’s family and have met with them to explain the investigation and apologised to them directly.

"Thankfully thefts are rare. The Trust takes allegations of this nature extremely seriously and we would like to reassure patients, staff and visitors that creating a safe environment remains our top priority."