A WIDOW has spoken of her heartbreak after thieves cut through chains to steal ornaments from a memorial garden.

Pensioner Pam Stockford, of Lydia Close, Barton, Oxford, was distraught when she discovered a memorial bench and stone teddy bear had been stolen - despite being chained down.

Mrs Stockford, 75, created the garden in memory of her late husband, Tony, a former owner of the Windsor chip shops, in Headington and Marston, died last year.

The theft comes just one week before the first anniversary of his death.

Mrs Stockford said: "One of my neighbours asked me if I had taken them inside and I knew straight away what had happened.

"It could not have come at a worse time, with the anniversary taking place this Friday.

"I am so upset, I cannot stop crying."

Both the bench and the stone teddy bear had been chained and padlocked to the concrete floor, but it is thought the thieves used bolt cutters to free them in the early hours of Friday morning.

The widow said: "They mean nothing to whoever took them, but they mean the world to me."

Mrs Stockford said the sentimental value of the stolen items made them irreplaceable.

She said: "The teddy bear has really upset me as it was so distinctive - I have never seen another like it.

"My niece gave it to me just after Tony passed away, to put in the memorial garden. It was so lovely."

Mrs Stockford, who has suffered from four heart attacks in the past, said the ordeal had put her under enormous pressure.

The pensioner also said she has found it hard to cope with the loss of her husband since he died on December 7 last year .

She added: "Everyone keeps telling me that I have got to let Tony go, but I can't as I love him so much - then this happens. It is just so awful."

Police spokesman Toby Shergold said: "The Barton neighbourhood policing team will be in touch with Mrs Stockford to help in any way they can.

"Also, can we appeal for anyone who witnessed this heartless crime to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact the police on 08458 505505, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.