A DISABLED pensioner is unable to visit his wife's grave after thieves stole his car.

Denzil Scott, 84, of St Dials, Cwmbran, visits the grave of his beloved late wife, Thelma, in Panteg cemetery three times a week.

The couple were only one month away from celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary when Mrs Scott suddenly died in January last year. Last week, Mr Scott was devastated when he woke to find his car had been stolen from outside his house.

Today he makes an emotional appeal after losing the car, a white Vauxhall Astra G362 RYJ.

"The car is very important to me, it's the only bit of independence I have left," says Mr Scott, who suffers from sciatica and walks with a stick. "I feel terrible. It really distresses me to sit here and look at a picture of Thelma's grave but not be able to see it myself."

Mr Scott says he does not want to put his friends or family out by asking for a lift, and even though a bus stops outside the cemetery, it is a long walk to where his wife is buried.

Mrs Scott died aged 83 on January 4, 2003, of hypertension and heart failure.

The couple had three children, 11 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

For a time they ran the former Kings Arms pub in Temple Street, Newport, and Mr Scott was also a technician in Llanwern steelworks.

Mr Scott, who has heart problems and had a triple heart bypass, adds: "I am hoping the car is still about because it has not been found abandoned.

"I would ask whoever stole it to consider how they would feel at my age if some of their property was stolen.

"I hope a reader has seen it around the area." Mr Scott's disability documents were also in the car when it was stolen sometime overnight on September 27.

Cwmbran police confirmed that the car has not yet been recovered. Anyone with information can call police on 01633 838999.