A FRAIL pensioner has been left distraught after jewellery given to her by her late husband was stolen from her care home while she was in hospital.

Patricia Woods, 70, was being treated at Colchester Hospital for ulcers on her legs when her jewellery was taken from the Bupa-run Carnarvon Care Centre, in Carnarvon Road, Clacton.

The items include a gold wedding ring, a gold engagement ring, a gold eternity ring and platinum locket.

Mrs Woods is now staying at Welshwood Manor care home, in Colchester.

Her daughter-in-law, Sarah Woods, also from Colchester, said: “She was only at the home as a temporary measure and after coming out of hospital has now been placed at another home in Colchester.

“We were told we needed to collect her things from the Clacton home, but on the day we went to collect it we were told they were locked in a safe and we should come back the next day.

“The following day we were told there was no jewellery.

“Obviously it has been taken at some point, but we don’t know whether it was taken from the room, which had been left unlocked, or not.”

The whole family have been left devastated by the theft as the jewellery had great sentimental value for Mrs Woods.

Sarah added: “It has left us feeling very upset.

“The rings were bought for her by her husband Eric, who died in 2007. Since she moved into sheltered housing her belongings have dwindled because there is less space and you can only take somuch with you, so the jewellery was very sentimental for her.

“Even if we replace the items, they won’t be the same.”

The items were stolen between October 23 and November 18. A spokeswoman for Carnarvon Nursing Home said: “It’s sad to think someone would steal from a vulnerable older lady. We’re sorry for any distress this might have caused Mrs Woods and her family.

“We informed the police and are carrying out our own internal review.”

PC Luke Baldwin, of Clacton police, said he was keen to hear from anyone who has been offered any of the items for sale. Anyone with information is urged to call PC Baldwin on 101.