A WIDOWER has expressed his anger and disgust after flowers were stolen from his wife’s grave.

Geoff Bowes, from Pickering, said silk flowers placed on the grave of his wife, Emily, had been taken twice over the last couple of weeks.

Mrs Bowes, who died in 2009, aged 59, is buried in Old Malton Cemetery.

Mr Bowes said: “I always try to keep the grave looking nice and put some silk flowers on the grave.

“Our daughter Samantha has also put some on and they looked beautiful, but twice they have been deliberatively removed.

“The flowers were placed in vases so it was impossible for them to blow away.”

Mr Bowes said he had been extremely angry when he saw the flowers had gone.

“I sat by the grave and was so upset and angry about what had happened,” he said.

“How could anyone do such a thing to somebody’s grave. It is very childish and petty - they obviously don’t care about anyone else.

“People need to show some respect, it is a disgraceful thing to do.”

Mr Bowes said fortunately no damage had been down to his wife’s gravestone.

“I hope whoever has done this thinks about the consequences of their actions and how much upset it has caused,” he added.

Old Malton Cemetery is maintained by Malton Town Council.

Gail Cook, clerk to the council, said she had liaised with local police officers who said they would make additional patrols in the area.

“I hope that those responsible are caught and forced to face up to what they have done and make suitable reparations,” she said.

Anyone with any information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.