A PENSIONER is devastated after her purse containing the last photo taken of her late mother was stolen.

The distraught resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, says her purse was stolen at Morrisons, in Braintree Road, Witham, last week.

After paying for her food shop at 12.36pm, the 77-year-old says she went to the supermarket’s customer services counter before heading to her car which was in a disabled bay in the car park.

She opened her car door and left her purse whilst she started putting away her shopping.

At that point she claims she could see two men in her vicinity. 

Braintree and Witham Times: Parking - some of the disabled bays at the Morrisons Car parkParking - some of the disabled bays at the Morrisons Car park (Image: Google Maps)

One of the men said he was a doctor and asked for help on where an address was, but she told him to ask supermarket staff.

When she got home, she realised her purse was missing, and upon returning to the supermarket, it had not been handed in.

The black wallet purse contained more than £250 of cash, her bus pass, and a photo of her late mother.

She said: “I feel very upset. It had a picture of my mum before she died, which I can never replace.

“She was 96 when she died.

"She was from a well to do family - a miller’s daughter. She still had all her faculties at the end.

“We had a very close relationship, and the photo was beautiful.”

Braintree and Witham Times: Investigating - an image of a Essex Police officerInvestigating - an image of a Essex Police officer (Image: N/A)

Braintree and Witham Times: Car park - more disabled spaces at the car parkCar park - more disabled spaces at the car park (Image: Google Maps)

The ex-special constable and telephonist's spare house key was also in the purse so she has had to spend £80 changing the lock as a precaution.

The woman also claims Morrisons told her the store's CCTV was not working at the time her purse vanished.

Essex Police are investigating the incident, which happened last Thursday. 

A spokesman said: “The victim reported the theft of her purse after she was approached by two individuals.

Braintree and Witham Times: Supermarket - the Morrisons in Witham Supermarket - the Morrisons in Witham (Image: Google Maps)

“One suspect was described as olive-skinned, around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, aged in his 40s, and spoke in broken English.

“Another was described as olive-skinned, aged younger than 40, wearing dark clothing."

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting crime reference 42/45733/24.