Thieves steal Vilma's precious memories

After the death of her husband last December Vilma Skyrme was looking forward to starting a new phase of her life in her own home. The new flat was meant to be her "bit of security".

But just two days before she was due to move in, callous thieves smashed their way through a window and stole items of priceless sentimental value.

In readiness to start her new life, some of her possessions were already in the flat but now the cruelty of thieves has left Mrs Skyrme without precious gifts given to her husband before he died.

A silver champagne bucket given to the couple for their Golden Wedding Anniversary, was amongst the items taken.

Thieves also stole expensive bottles of brandy which were given to the late Mr Skyrme, along with new blinds - bought especially for the new flat - a toaster, an electric grill and a halogen heater.

Mrs Skyrme has three daughters, aged 50, 40 and 30 and two sons - one is 46-years-old and the youngest is 28.

The family have all been upset by the incident, and are rallying round their mother.

Her eldest daughter, Vicky Skinner, said: "I really hope the thieves needed those things more than my mother!

"I know people get very desperate this time of year, but my mother didn't have a lot there anyway.

"We cannot believe people can be so heartless.

"She was widowed one year ago this month and it just seems to have been one thing after another for my mother - you name it everything has gone wrong for her."

When Mrs Skyrme arrived at the flat her daughter Danielle went in first, before Mrs Skyrme had the heart-breaking job of looking round to see what was missing.

The Blaenavon pensioner was left shaken and vulnerable after the incident, but now her daughter said her mother is determined to "get on with things."

"There's nothing she can't cope with now," said Mrs Skinner.

"My mother is concerned about security, although she has settled in to the flat and has no intention of letting them win."