A HEARTLESS thief nicked a purse off a pensioner which contained a irreplaceable picture of her husband who died six years earlier.

The 82-year-old heartbroken woman, who is originally from Dundee, is hoping that somone will hand the purse in.

Police say the woman was shopping in Glasgow city centre on Wednesday, August 24.

She was outside a shop called Bo Peep’s in the Trongate, when she noticed a young woman acting suspiciously around her.

The elderly woman then checked her handbag and noticed her purse, containing cash and bank cards, had been stolen.

The elderly woman is extremely upset as she also kept a photo of her husband in her purse and it is the loss of this photo which is upsetting her.

They were married for nearly 50 years before her husband died six years ago. She has carried the photo in her purse for a number of years and it means everything to her.

The purse is described a purple leather one with a clip fastening. The photo is black and white and her husband is wearing a sports jacket, trousers and holding a cricket bat. The photo was taken when he was in his early 20s.

Sergeant Michael Oxnard said: “Unfortunately, this lady’s trip to Glasgow has turned into a sad memory for her.

"Rather than being an enjoyable day out she has lost something most precious to her.

"As part of our enquiries, we will be checking CCTV footage from in and around the area in the hope that it provides us with further information which could potentially lead to the purse, or more importantly for the victim, her treasured photo being found and returned to her.

"If anyone has any information or knowledge about this incident, please call us and pass your information on.”

Anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident is asked to contact officers at City Centre Police Office on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give your information anonymously.