A FAMILY has been left distraught after a headstone was stolen at Bulwark cemetery in Chepstow.

The headstone of Jayne Chesterman who died in 1948 was missing when her granddaughter Denise Turner came to visit from her family home in Oxford. She said: "It was a horrible moment when I realised my grandmothers headstone was missing. At first I thought the council might have taken it away because it was old and may have fallen over. But when I rang them, they told me that was not the case.

"My first feeling was complete shock and then it turned to anger and I just thought who in their right mind would do this?

"I had to tell my father what had happened and he found it very distressing as we regularly come to Chepstow to see my grandmother's grave.

"I think it takes horrendous audacity to do what they did and I hope whoever did it is satisfied at the distress they have caused my family."

The headstone was six inches thick and three to four feet high and would have been extremely difficult to pick up single-handedly. Mrs Turner added: "I do not know what the person who stole it would have needed it for. I can only think that the headstone, which was made of concrete, could be used as patio slabs or something like that.

"The police have been wonderful and they have assured us that they are taking this very seriously."

David Davies MP gave his condolences to family and poured scorn over the petty theft. He said: "This is a horrendous crime and our hearts go out to the relatives. How anybody could take it upon themselves to steal another persons headstone is beyond me. The person or persons who have done this should be ashamed of themselves. I just hope they are punished, if and when they are caught."