A PENSIONER is distraught after her handbag was stolen while she was laying flowers at her mother's grave.

Jean Jackson, from St Mary's Island, Chatham, was visiting All Saints Church, Frindsbury, on the 10th anniversary of her mother's death.

She discovered her bag - which contained cash as well as personal items - had been taken when she returned to her car.

Mrs Jackson said: "I can't believe that anybody would be this horrible.

"I was in such an emotional state because of the nature of my visit, this just made everything worse."

* See the Medway Messenger (Friday, August 24) for the full story.