A GRIEVING mother has pleaded for the return of two pieces of family jewellery missing from her dead son's flat.

Helen Moulding, of Ranken Drive, Hoddlesden, is still coming to terms with Stephen's death from liver failure just before Christmas at the age of 46.

And the disappearance of a gold ring and gold watch from his flat on Lincoln Road, Blackburn, after his death have caused her more grief.

She said that after her son died, his flat had to be fumigated because Stephen had been found dead there.

This meant she was unable to get in to go through his belongings.

When she was admitted the ring and watch were not in their hiding place in the back of a clock on his mantelpiece.

She has checked all his clothes and they were not there either.

She said: "I never thought anybody would do anything like that.

"His friends all seemed to be decent. It's despicable to steal from the dead.

"I think it could have been sold to a pawn brokers.

"I know somebody took them, but I don't know who.

"He had a lot of people who went there and they were always drinking and smoking, but I don't know their names."

The watch was engraved with '25 years' service to the British Royal Services'.

It was his father's watch before he passed it on to Stephen.

The ring has an 'S' engraved, and was a Christmas present Helen bought for her son.

Anybody with any information should call 01254 772591.