An urn containing a man’s ashes was dug up and stolen from Maidstone Cemetery, the KM can reveal.

The theft of the ashes was discovered at the cemetery in Sutton Road, Maidstone, the day after they had been buried when a close relative visited the grave.

Father-of-two Paul Scott, 45, pictured, had left instructions that he wished to be buried in the same plot as his grandmother, but that had led to a family dispute.

A relative, who did not want to be named, said: "His family have been divided by this deed of theft. This wound will never be healed unless they are recovered."

His family are now offering a substantial reward for information leading to a successful conviction.

Mr Scott, who had been an occasional visitor at Maidstone Day Centre in Knightrider Street, Maidstone, died on June 15.

A post mortem examination was carried out shortly after his death but the results are still awaited.

Police say the theft took place between July 31, after the ashes had been buried, and 11am on August 2, when the urn was discovered to have been taken.

The ashes were in a dark green plastic urn, with a paper label on the lid.

A spokesman for Maidstone council, which runs the cemetery, said that there had never been a theft of ashes there before.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Maidstone on 01622 604210 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference CY/012376/10.