A WORCESTER businessman is distraught after thieves stole a "priceless" family heirloom while he was out training for a charity climb.

Devastated Simon Probert was given the gold watch by his grandmother two years ago, as a present for his 30th birthday.

The 1960s wristwatch had belonged to his grandfather.

The elderly gentleman handed it to his daughter Trisha - Mr Probert's mum - minutes before he jetted off to Lourdes in a last ditch attempt to fight cancer.

A few days later, he died in France.

His last words to his daughter were to take care of the watch, which the family dutifully did for 25 years.

Now the memories, which stretch back three generations, have been lost forever after thieves ransacked Mr Probert's home in Bala Way, St Peter's, over the weekend.

He is now offering a reward to anyone who can return the precious watch.

"I was in training for the Three Peaks Challenge, which takes in Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours," said Mr Probert, business development manager for CALA Homes in Solihull.

"I came back late Saturday night to find my window had been forced open with a crowbar. Pretty much everything but the furniture has been stolen."

"My grandfather's war medals were scattered around the room and I was gutted when I saw an empty box at the bottom of my bedroom draw where the watch had been.

"It's simply priceless. I'm hoping someone out there may have seen something or be able to return the watch to me."

The watch, which has a solid gold back and front, has a distinctive white face. The gold strap is thin and braided with a clasp.

Anyone with information on this watch, or who may have witnessed the burglary between Friday night, May 10, and Saturday, May 11, should contact Worcester police on 01905 723888, quoting crime reference c/585451.