A CRUEL burglar who broke into a frail pensioner's home stole a treasured memento of her dead husband.

The thief smashed his way into the house as the 88-year-old widow slept and stole cash and a haul of jewellery including her husband's gold watch.

And kind neighbours are so appalled by the burglary they are chipping in to buy her a house alarm.

The pensioner treasured the watch which she bought for her husband more than 50 years ago when the couple were courting. It was the very first present she ever bought him.

Angry friends say the theft has left her heartbroken.

Neighbours in Holmeswood Road, Great Lever, say the break-in is the latest in a spate of similar crimes in recent weeks. Three burglaries have been reported on the estate over the last two weeks alone.

The pensioner became the latest victim yesterday. The thief got in through a rear ground floor window as she slept.

She discovered the theft when she went downstairs for a drink shortly before 6.30am. Drawers and cupboards in the living room had been ransacked.

In addition to her husband's gold watch, the thief also stole £200 in cash, a lady's gold watch, a silver watch and six pairs of earrings.

But the pensioner, a retired machinist who has lived there for 60 years, is thankful that the thief did not hurt her.

Near to tears she said: "I think the thief ran away when he heard me coming down the stairs. In a way I'm lucky to get away with it but it has left me very nervous."

The pensioner , who does not want to be identified, is now considering offering a reward for the return of her husband's watch.

She added: "The money doesn't bother me but the loss of the watch does. It holds so many memories for me. My husband never went anywhere without it."

The break-in has caused an outcry on the estate.

One furious neighbour bitterly condemned the "cowardly" thief.

She stormed: "Why did he have to pick on an 88-year-old woman? If we could get our hands on the man responsible we would kill him.

"On this occasion he has picked on someone who is loved by us all. She is everybody's mother although she has no children of her own."

She added: "To the residents on the estate she is like the Queen. She will melt anyone's heart."

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