A widow is appealing for the thieves who stole treasured items belonging to her late husband, to return them.

Terry Childs' handbag was stolen from the family's VW camper van while she and her youngest son enjoyed Maldon Carnival on Saturday.

The handbag, which has been concealed in the camper can, contained Stephen Childs' watch and a rare photograph of him before he became ill with motor neurone disease.

The carnival day was particularly poignant for Mrs Childs, who had her first date with Mr Childs on the same day she was selected for the role of Maldon carnival queen back in 1974.

See this week's Maldon Standard for the full story.