MOURNERS, who attended a funeral in Honiton last Wednesday, returned to the graveside two hours later only to find a thief had walked off with most of the floral tributes.

MOURNERS, who attended a funeral in Honiton last Wednesday, returned to the graveside two hours later - only to find a thief had walked off with most of the floral tributes.Police are appealing for information about the theft, which happened between 2.30pm and 5pm.Bunches of orchids and lilies were missing when relatives of the late Joyce Webster re-visited St Michael's churchyard to take pictures of the flowers.A funeral service for Mrs Webster, who was 77, took place at St Michael's Church before the burial."We went back two hours later and realised flowers were missing," said grieving daughter Sue Webster, 55."Mum loved flowers, especially orchids, and all the money people sent us in her memory we spent on flowers."We wanted to take some photographs but, when I started looking, I thought: 'Where are the orchids? There were more lilies than this'."The more I looked, the more flowers I realised were missing."We spent a fortune on the flowers and realised the big bunches had been taken."The thief left behind the made up wreath, which had been on top of the coffin, and one saying 'Mum'."Ms Webster said she was most upset for her father, Les, who is 82, and who had to deal with the shock."I could have killed, I was so upset," she told the Herald.Ms Webster was moved to speak to the Herald to explain the extra grief the theft had heaped on mourners.Anybody with information about the theft is urged to call Honiton police station on 08452 777444, quoting crime reference KH/09/316.