THE grieving grandparents of a young Newport boy are appealing to a thief to show compassion after a handbag containing his picture was snatched only feet away from his grave.

Lewis Fullwood, 13, a pupil at St Joseph's high school, died on April 22 this year after a tragic accident, with his mother, Sarah, at his side.

Sarah's parents William and June Wilson were laying flowers on Lewis's grave at St Woolos cemetery, Newport, on Monday morning when the opportunistic prowler struck.

"We had parked on the path only 15 yards at the most from Lewis's grave," Mr Wilson said.

"June's handbag was on the car floor, under the front seat. I saw a young man hanging about in the area but the car was only a few yards away. I got some water and June arranged the flowers without either of us taking much notice."

Mr Wilson, of Frederick Street, Newport, said their first thought that the handbag might have been left at home.

"But it had definitely been left in the car. The tallish man in dark clothing was walking obliquely away from us but for some reason our suspicions were not aroused," he said.

"A grass-cutting machine was making a clatter and I think this might have distracted us."

Mr Wilson said his wife's handbag had contained about £100 in cash and some debit and credit cards which were immediately cancelled.

"But several pictures of Lewis which were also in the handbag are of immense sentimental value," he said. "I realise there is no chance of getting the money or the bag back but if the thief has any sort of a conscience, he must realise what the pictures mean to us.

"We are hoping that someone who knows him might be able to persuade him to drop the photographs off at the Argus or the police or anywhere else from where they will find their way back to us."

St Woolos cemetery has signs warning visitors to secure their cars and possessions. Police have renewed warnings against leaving vehicles unlocked and windows open.