A BEREAVED mum and dad are pleading for the return of a stolen lily, grown in memory of their stillborn daughter.

Lisa and Lewis Rickett planted a bulb in memory of Mia shortly after her death six years ago.They watched it grow into a beautiful white Arum lily nearly five feet high, that has been swiped from the front of their new Peacehaven home.

Mrs Rickett, 35, said: “I actually cried, I felt so upset, distressed that someone would do this.

“It’s just that it means so much to us and to somebody else it means nothing.

“Just bring it back. I don’t care if they do it at night so we do not see them. But just realise how much it means to us and how they would feel if someone comes and takes something so sentimental.”

The parents and their children, Mia’s twin Max and Bailey, 3, moved into the house in Telscombe Cliffs Way last Monday.

They stored the plant concealed in the front garden, planning to move it to the main garden behind the house.

However, thieves struck between 8.30pm and 10.30pm two days later, last Wednesday, July 9.

Mrs Rickett said she had found her disabled husband’s walking trolley discarded in the alleyway next door.

She believes the walking trolley must have been used to move the heavy plant and its distinctive grey two-foot-wide stone-effect rippled pot to the road.The bulb was given to the parents by Mr Rickett’s father to honour Mia, on the day of her funeral.

Mr Rickett, 36, who has a tattoo with the names of his children interwoven with a lily, said: “It’s just a silly plant, but it is not because it means so much to us.”

Police are investigating and want anyone with information to get in touch.PC Anna Batchelor said: “This is a particularly upsetting crime for the victims.

“Please keep a look out for the plant and the pot and contact us if you see them.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1206 of 11/07, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.