THIEVES have struck at the grave of a young cancer victim for the fourth time.

A statue of two horses was stolen from the grave of Duane Jones at Heaton Cemetery.

Duane died 18 months ago at the age of 11 after losing a two-year battle against cancer.

His devastated mother, Janice Jones, today appealed for the thieves to return the item.

Mrs Jones found the horses missing when she went to tend her son's grave last week.

The statue was bought to replace a brass horse stolen from Duane's grave in January.

Mrs Jones said thieves have struck on two other occasions, each time taking animal figures left by the family in tribute to the youngster.

"I can't understand why we keep being targeted," said Mrs Jones.

"The things aren't really worth anything to anybody but they have great sentimental value to us."

Duane touched the hearts of Bolton people when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 after a mole on his head became malignant.

The animal-loving youngster was flown to Florida, where he swam with dolphins, and two stone dolphins are carved on his gravestone.

Despite several operations, the cancer spread and he lost his fight for life.

Mrs Jones said: "We're not the only people to have had things stolen.

"I have spoken to a lot of people at the cemetery who say things have gone missing from graves.

"Whoever has got the horse statue should just put it back where it was." The missing figure features two brown horses with black tails on a stone base and is 12 inches tall and 18 inches long.

Insp Simon Miskell, of Bolton police, said: "The sentimental value is clearly of much greater than any financial gain someone could hope to get from stealing this statue.

"It's a callous theft and it would have been obvious to anyone that this was left by the grave for a young child."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.