A widow desperate to lay her husband to rest after his ashes were stolen in a warehouse raid in Maidstone says she is losing hope he will ever be found.

Chris Humbles, 75, who lived in Higham with his wife Diane for 24 years before retiring to Yorkshire eight years ago, died unexpectedly in October after developing septicaemia.

Mrs Humbles had asked the funeral home in Yorkshire to arrange for the safe transfer of his ashes to Charing Crematorium near Ashford, so they could be scattered in the same place as other relatives.

The funeral home had called on a specialist firm managing the transport of ashes to arrange the delivery, and had deposited the package, as instructed, at a collection point.

The firm then commissioned Hermes to collect them but they were taken from a warehouse at Phoenix Park in Park Wood.

The ashes were stolen, along with other items and a van, during a break-in overnight on November 25, just before Black Friday.

In November the funeral director, George Steele and Son in Yorkshire, announced a cash reward for anyone with information leading to the safe return of the ashes.

Four months on and Mrs Humbles is still waiting for answers.

Mrs Humbles, who was born in Folkestone, said: "When we want to think about him we've got nowhere to go and it's horrible.

"It's bad enough to lose your husband so suddenly but to have this happen too is devastating.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye to him. When he went off in the ambulance I thought I'd be able to visit him the next day but then he was in ICU and he passed away.

"I wont ask any questions, I just want him back. I just hope somebody has got it in their heart they can come forward.

"I'm trying to remain positive that we will find him but I am losing hope."

The couple, who lived near Wakefield, had been married for 41 years and had four children between them, along with eight grand-children and three great-grandchildren.

It is not known how much the cash reward is but the incentive is still in place.

Four arrests were made in connection to the burglary.

David Walker, 23, of Second Avenue, Gillingham, and Jimmy Read, 23, of no fixed address, appeared before Maidstone Crown Court on March 8 charged with conspiring to commit burglary with intent to steal they are next due to appear at the court on April 15.

Two men, aged 38 and 45 from East London, were also arrested on December 8.

An investigation into the burglary is ongoing.

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