A Second World War veteran today made an impassioned plea to a burglar who stole a lock of his late wife's hair.

The lock was in Walter Bartlett's wallet and wrapped in a note: "This precious lock of hair from my darling wife is to be buried with me."

Mr Bartlett, 79 and fighting cancer, has been searching his neighbourhood in Telscombe Cliffs, hoping the thief discarded the keepsake.

Nurses helped Mr Bartlett cut the hair minutes after his wife died in 1980 from cancer.

Mr Bartlett, who fought in North Africa and Italy with the Royal Fusiliers, said: "She died in my arms in our bed.

"I kept telling her how much I loved her as she slipped away.

"I was so upset, the nurses had to help me take the lock of her hair. Joan was such a beautiful woman."

The two met in Scotland where Mr Bartlett was training and they married after the war.

Mr Bartlett was working in his front garden at 3pm last Friday when he spotted a man leaving via the front path.

He thought he had delivered a newspaper.

Minutes later, Mr Bartlett went inside and realised the raider had searched his bedroom and taken his wallet containing £100 and the lock of hair plus two gold rings.

He said: "The lock was one of the most cherished things I had left which reminded me of my dear wife.

"I have carried it with me everywhere since she died and it was to be buried with me.

"It's not the cash I am concerned about. It is the sentimental value that her hair holds for me. It cannot be replaced, ever."

Mr Bartlett, who worked in photography and for the Brighton housing department before he retired, is hoping the thief has a conscience and will return the lock of hair.

He said: "I hoped he might have thrown it into a garden nearby and I have been looking around.

"All my neighbours have been alerted."

Mr Bartlett added: "I would appeal to the thief - please let me have my wife's lock of hair back."

The man he saw is in his mid-30s, 5ft 9in, and wore light-coloured clothing.

Witnesses in the area of Fairlight Avenue, Telscombe Cliffs, or anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.