A heartbroken woman has appealed to a thief who stole her handbag to hand back a lock of her late daughter's hair.

Valerie Hill, of Worthing, says she is not worried about the cash and credit cards in the bag, which was taken from the nursing home where she works as an administrator.

But she is desperate for the return of a tiny brown envelope containing a lock of red hair from her daughter Beverley, who died three years ago aged 23.

Mrs Hill said: "The lock of hair is my last remaining memory of her and I always carry it with me.

"I just hope the person who took it will have a conscience and say where the bag has been dumped or what happened to the envelope."

The handbag was taken from the Old Malthouse Nursing Home in High Street, Selsey, on Monday afternoon.

It is the second time Mrs Hill has had a handbag stolen containing the lock of hair.

But 12 months ago police managed to recover it after the bag was found dumped in a hedge at Bognor.

PC Mark Cavell hopes the latest thief will realise the distress he or she has caused.

He said: "If the thief will indicate where the bag was discarded or if anyone believes they have seen it I hope they will ring me or Crimestoppers."

Call PC Cavell on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.