A grandmother returned from visiting her terminally-ill husband to find her home ransacked and cherished possessions stolen.

Ann Ward, 68, was visiting her husband Frank at the Bramley Court care home with her disabled son, on Monday, October 28, when burglars broke into the house by smashing a window.

The thieves, who broke in between 3.30pm and 7.30pm, took hundreds of pounds of cash as well as several family heirlooms, jewellery and her husband’s Breitling Aviator watch.

Mrs Ward, of Impington, said: “The most upsetting thing is that it’s taken over from my husband and son, they’re the most important things.”

She added, “I’m just trying to get on with my life. Last night I was laying here nervous rather than thinking abut my husband. I just feel annoyed that people think they can come into your house.”

Detective Constable Mark Killingworth, who is investigating, said: “It is appalling that someone has targeted such a vulnerable lady.”

The retired dinner-lady and secretary realised she had been burgled when she walked into the kitchen and stepped on broken glass from a smashed in back window.

Amongst the items taken were diamond rings, pocket watches and a guinea necklace given to her by relatives along with her husband’s watch.

Brietling watches can be worth thousands but Mrs Ward said she was less bothered about the monetary value of the items stolen and more about their sentimental value. She said: “I would like them caught and would love my old pieces back. What’s the point of buying new pieces?”

She implored people to make a record of their items or to buy a safe, adding: “I haven’t one piece of proof of these things. Everybody should take photographs of what they’ve got.”

Mrs Ward felt she may have been targeted because she had left the house unattended without leaving any lights on.

She advised people to draw their curtain or to leave on some lights to deter thieves during the dark winter evenings. “Just think about it. Leave your lights on,” she said.

Mrs Ward said the police had been “marvellous”, adding: “Out of this bad comes a lot of good.”

Cambridgeshire Constabulary have asked for anyone who might know anything about the crime or the whereabouts of the stolen items to come forward.

Anybody with information should contact DC Killingworth on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.