A BEREAVED mother working in a Minehead charity shop was the victim of what the police called "a particularly despicable crime" on Wednesday morning.

The elderly voluntary worker was robbed of a handbag that had belonged to her daughter who died recently.

"This is a particularly despicable crime and has greatly upset the victim," said a police spokesman.

"The handbag had great sentimental value as it belonged to the victim's recently deceased daughter.

"We would very much like to recover the handbag and reunite it with its owner."

It was a small, rectangular bag in beige leather, with a long, thin shoulder strap.

Anyone with any information about the theft should contact Minehead police station or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.