A BROKEN-hearted husband is appealing to thieves for the return of mementoes left by his dead wife for her son and grandchildren.

Caroline Mantle, 46, died yesterday (September 24) after a five-year battle against ovarian cancer.

But as her husband Nick, 36, sat at her bedside in Guy's Hospital, saying his goodbyes, burglars broke into their Barnehurst home.

They stole two jewellery boxes of items which Mrs Mantle had gathered together for her only son Nigel, aged 30, and her three grandchildren aged seven, three and 12 months.

They also took a digital camera containing the family's last photographs.

Mr Mantle, a civil servant, said: "Nigel's box contained some jewellery and photographs of him taken with his mother, when he was growing up."

The second box, for her grandchildren, also contained sentimental pieces of jewellery and photographs.

Mr Mantle said: "I think she also added notes to each of the children, so they would be able to know a little bit about her, as they will be too young to remember her."

He added: "I am not really worried about the jewellery, but I am desperate to get back the photographs and letters.

"Most of Nigel's photos are the only copies that exist."

Mr Mantle had been with his wife for 11 years.

Their home in Cheviot Close was burgled sometime between 2pm and 4.30pm on Monday.

A white man in his late teens or early 20s, who was about 6ft tall with short black hair, was seen near the house at the time.

One of the missing boxes is larger than a shoebox and made of brown wood, which Mrs Mantle had recently bought at a John Lewis store.

The second box was slightly smaller than a shoe box, and was white with a pink/brown lid.

If you find either box, their contents or the digital camera, or know anything about the burglary, call Bexleyheath CID on 020 8284 9135 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.