A GRAN-of-four has described her heartbreak after thugs stole her bag containing irreplaceable pictures of her husband and son who recently died.

75-year-old Pamela Clayton from Haydock has had a difficult year, after her son Gareth died in August aged 40 from internal bleeding and in March 2020 her husband of 56 years Eric also died from a short battle with cancer.

St Helens Star:

Pamela and Eric

Due to her age, during the coronavirus pandemic she has been self isolating, which has been even more difficult when coming to terms with her loss.

On Tuesday she took her first proper outing in weeks to Taylor Park with her 29-year-old grandson Adam Leyland.

However when she returned she was horrified to learn that thugs had smashed into Adam's car and stole her bag containing a mobile phone full of irreplaceable pictures of her husband and son.

St Helens Star:

Gareth

Mum-of-four Pamela, said: "It was honestly a lovely little walk then when we came back I was left heartbroken.

"To lose Gareth and then Eric has been so terrible, and with all what is going on I've been isolated too which makes it harder because I can't see everyone else.

"Adam took me for a little walk to the park, that was all then we were going to get some shopping and now my bag and everything in it is gone.

St Helens Star:

Eric

"I don't care about the money or anything, it's just the phone because I can never get those photographs back.

"It's just heartbreaking really, how can people do something like that?

St Helens Star:

Eric and Pamela in Taylor Park

"I've had to get my locks changed and everything but all I can think about are those pictures."

Adam's car was one of two cars had their windows broken into near Taylor Park on Tuesday.

A handbag and some personal papers were stolen in total.

Officers are asking for people going to the park by car to be vigilant.

In a Facebook post, St Helens Police said: "If you are going to Taylor Park please don’t leave any valuables in your car.

"Two cars had their windows smashed yesterday, a handbag and some personal papers were stolen.

"It’s frustrating , upsetting and inconvenient having to replace items and repair any damage."