Burglars have broken into a house in Shropshire and made off with the ashes of the owner's dead wife.
The burglars broke into the house in Telford by forcing open the kitchen window and made off with the green velvet drawstring bag.
West Mercia Police said they also took a number of other items including a Sony LCD television.
The 61-year-owners was out of the property at the time of the break in, and did not realise the ashes had been stolen until sometime later.
A police spokesman said: "The victim of this burglary...is absolutely devastated by the theft of his wife's ashes and although the chances are probably slim, he would appeal to the thieves to return the bag containing the ashes if they do still have it in their possession.
"The thieves probably didn't realise what was in the bag when they stole it from the address but obviously it is something that is of great importance to the victim.
"If there's any way the ashes can be returned to their rightful owner it's fair to say that it would be one of the best Christmas presents ever."
The burglary was carried out in the Red Lake area of the town on the evening of December 12.
