A BLIND pensioner has slammed thieves who stole a piece of her MBE award during a jewellery raid at her home.

Eileen Lloyd, 81, of Juno Street, Nelson was at Holy Saviour's church with her husband Ken, when burglars struck at their home on Sunday morning.

The couple were met by ransacked rooms when they returned home an hour later and discovered Mrs Lloyd's silver MBE pin was missing.

Eileen said: "Several items of jewellery were taken from our home which we are bothered about but the most sentimental item to me was my silver MBE pin was was given to me by the Queen at the same time as the medal.

"The medal was not taken but a black opal brought back from Australia by my son was also taken."

Eileen received the award in the New Years Honours List in 2000 at Buckingham Palace for services to drama and the blind.

As a veteran of the stage she has acted, directed and produced shows.

In 1997, Spellbound, a show she wrote with Ken, based on the story of the Pendle witches, was staged at the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, Colne, and attracted widespread interest.

And since losing her sight in 1989 she has been looking after blind children by providing a special audio theatre at her home.

She added: "I have worked hard all my life doing different things in drama and in later life working with the blind.

"I think I deserved the honour, but the person who took it does not and is not entitled to wear it. Only the MBE recipient is allowed to wear the pin so they should give it back." A spokesman for the Cabinet's Honours department said: "It is not worth much in monetary terms, probably about £20 but thieves would think they are worth more.

"There were 1277 MBEs given out in 2000 at the time when Eileen received hers. Looking on the bright side, I know it is not the same but it can be replaced if it is not found."

Detective Constable Ruth Chew at Nelson CID said: "This incident really does tug at the heart strings, all Eileen can think about is getting it back.

"The last thing anybody wants is to return home and find their house has been turned over but it would mean a lot to Eileen if the pin was returned. It can be given back anonymously and handed in at any police station."

Anybody with any information should contact DC Chew at Nelson CID on 01282 472644.