Nurse left distressed after pendant stolen from bag

A NURSE has been left distressed after a thief stole a family heirloom from her handbag at work.

Tina Gilbert's purse was stolen in the oncology department at St John's Hospital in Livingston.

The purse contained an irreplaceable St Christopher pendant which had belonged to her dad, who died two years ago.

She said: "I carry it with me all the time. It's not really valuable to anybody else, but has real sentimental value to me.

"I had about 40 in cash in my purse but I'm really not bothered about the money at all, I would just like the St Christopher back.

"I'm really upset about it. If anyone finds the purse or St Christopher hand it in at the hospital or give it to the police."

Her purse is small and black and the missing St Christopher was chunky gold and around the size of a ten pence piece.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses after a nurse had items stolen from her handbag from St John's Hospital, Livingston, on September 13."