A woman who had her handbag stolen along with her South African identity card, bank cards, mobile phone and £1000 holiday money, is appealing for its return.

Corinne Groenewald says the theft of her handbag from Dobbies Garden World in Gillingham last Sunday, September 11, has marred her holiday and left her picking up the pieces instead of enjoying her time in England visiting her daughter.

She and husband Chrislu now hope the thief will realise how much trouble they’ve caused and at least return her cards and phone.

Mrs Groenewald, 62, says the thief struck while she was attending a baby shower celebration at the garden centre’s restaurant with her daughter Sanell Pienaar, who lives in Coxheath.

“It’s quite a setback,” she said. “All my South African documents are missing, so when we go back I’ll have quite a lot of trouble to replace them.

“Everyone was very shocked. My daughter has been living here 11 years and nothing like that has happened at all.

“If it was South Africa it would be more understandable, but I didn’t expect it here.

“I won’t say it’s ruined the trip but it’s created a bit of a bad memory now.”

Since the theft on Sunday September 11 Mrs Groenewald has spent her time organising emergency cash and cancelling her bank cards - and will have to arrange replacement ID documents on her return home to Western Cape, South Africa.

She hopes thieves will now return her belongings - especially her ID documents to the garden centre in Courteney Road or Kent Police.

“I’m hoping and praying a miracle happens,” she added.

Police say they were called to investigate the reported theft of a woman’s handbag from a restaurant in Courteney Road, Gillingham, between 3pm and 4.30pm on Sunday September 11 2016.

Anyone with information can call 101 quoting reference XY/35856/16.