A CRUEL thief has stolen a Lostock woman's precious string of rosary beads which she treasured after taking them from her dying mother's hands.

Devastated Molly Burns, who carried the distinctive emerald green beads with her for 10 years, was robbed on a recent visit to Bolton Central Library.

The thief stole her bag, which contained the beads, when she was in the sheet music section of the library last week.

The callous crook managed to grab the bag although it was no more than two feet away from where she was sat in the library.

The beads were held in a small, grey leather purse inside a black leather clutch bag. Also stolen was £45, credit cards, keys and other belongings.

Mrs Burns, of Beasdale Close, said: "The money and the bag mean nothing to me, but my mother's rosary beads mean everything. I feel it's part of my mother they've taken."

The beads were given to Mrs Burns' mother, Charlotte Harper, by a priest in her Irish homeland. They were a green marble effect, with a Shamrock engraved on each bead. The distinctive cross was Celtic, hand carved in metal.

"Things like this can't be replaced," said Mrs Burns. "I carry them everywhere with me.

"My mother died 10 years ago, but to me it's like it was yesterday. I still visit the cemetery every week."

Since the theft, Mrs Burns's husband has searched rubbish bins around the library, hoping they may have been dropped in, but to no avail.

Now she has made an emotional plea for the thief to return the beads. "If I could get them back it would mean so much to me," she said.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the beads is asked to contact Mrs Burns on 01204 695924.

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