A WOMAN has branded thieves "heartless" after they stole her husband's moped and ruined the family's Christmas.

Betty Purser's husband Ivor suffers from thrombosis and relied on his 50cc moped to transport him around the city.

The couple woke last Sunday morning to find the white Honda Vision had been stolen from their front porch in Shap Drive, Warndon, Worcester.

It is the third moped which has been stolen from Mr Purser.

"We just got up as normal and noticed that it was missing," said Mrs Purser. "We were just completely stunned.

"The thieves are really heartless because my husband can't get around anymore.

"They've ruined our Christmas."

Mr Purser, aged 64, finds it difficult to walk distances because of his thrombosis. He has been taking morphine for 10 years to help him cope with the pain.

"I don't know what he's going to do now because he relied on the moped to get him to the doctors and to hospital," said Mrs Purser.

"We're really upset by it all. We just can't believe that it's happened again."

A spokeswoman for Worcester police confirmed this was the third time thieves have targeted Mr Purser.

"To have your moped stolen for the third time is heartbreaking," she said.

"But the fact that it's also Christmas only adds to the distress.

"Investigations are ongoing and any anyone with information on the theft should call Worcester police."

Information can be passed to police on 01905 723888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.