A CARING community has rallied round a disabled grandmother whose house was burgled as she laid her brother to rest.

Earlier this week the BEN told how callous criminals smashed their way into Mary Morris's council bungalow and snatched dozens of Christmas gifts she had bought for her grandchildren.

The thieves also made off with a television and video after ransacking the 50-year-old's home in Hollin Acre, Westhoughton.

She discovered the mess after arriving home from her brother Brian McGrath's funeral service, during which her son's car window was also smashed when the vehicle was parked on the private drive of Overdale's West Chapel.

Mrs Morris was left heartbroken following the burglary, but offers of help and cash donations came flooding in to make her Christmas a happier one.

Last night she said: "I just can't thank people enough for what they have done. I was so upset because there were so many good people at my brother's funeral but there was still some scum walking the streets."

One anonymous Good Samaritan called in at the BEN's offices to drop off £5 for Mrs Morris and she has even been given £50 worth of shopping vouchers from bosses at the Horwich Asda.

Another surprise visitor to her home handed over a card in which there was £20 and one of her nephews presented her with a card containing £100 in cash.

Now Mrs Morris - who suffers from arthritis and has to walk with the aid of a stick - has begun the task of replacing all the presents which were stolen.

She added: "There are just so many people to thank I don't know where to begin. It really knocked the stuffing out of me but now I'm determined that I won't let these criminals win.

"People's generosity has really touched me. I've sobbed like a baby when people have helped me out in the last week."

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