THIEVES have repeatedly targeted the grave of a Hamsphire grandfather.

The family of Jack Pearce, who died in December, have had pot plants, artificial flowers, a vase and cards pinched from his graveside at All Saint's Church in Dibden.

Now, the late 70-year-old's family is afraid to leave anything at the headstone adjacent to where his ashes are buried for fear it will also be stolen.

Widow Maria Pearce, 59, from Marchwood, has been shocked each time she visits her husband's grave that everything she has left there has gone missing.

Her daughter Caroline Mulholland, from Holbury, said: "It's really upsetting. Over the last couple of months, things have been stolen three or four times.

"We have no idea of a motive. After the pot plants went missing, we wanted to put something more permanent there, so we got some artificial roses in a vase, but they have also been stolen.

"They weren't cheap artificial roses, but it's not the money we've lost that's upsetting "Even cards we left there on Father's Day have been taken. We have no idea why anyone else would want that.

"My mum dreads going down there to visit dad's grave now, in case something else is gone."

Caroline, 33, has even had to tell her six-year-old son Joseph that his granddad has been visiting from heaven to collect the cards and flowers they leave at his grave.

She said: "My son also made a card for his granddad for Father's Day, which was also taken. We have told him that granddad comes down from heaven and takes them - he would be too upset if he knew the truth, he really misses his granddad."

A police spokesman said they have received two reports of thefts of pot plants from outside the church over the past 30 days, each one valued at £15.

He added: "We would encourage members of the public to report any incidents like this. Even if the value is only £15, it's theft. That causes distress to the victim and raises the fear of crime."