A DEVASTATED grand-daughter has spoken of her family's heartbreak after a granite memorial stone inscribed with a poem to her late grandfather was ripped from his grave.

Marie Hart, 36, from Helston says the culprit must have removed the 3.5 feet by 3 foot engraved granite stone from the graveyard in St Piran's Church, Perranzabaloe with a hammer and chisel.

This is not the first time that her grandfather's grave has been desecrated. When Roi Pearson died on November 14, 2012, the family placed a smaller slate on the grave with the poem read out at his funeral engraved on it. But this was stolen and a pile of wood left in its place.

Undeterred, once the earth had settled the family paid for the larger granite slate with a white inscription and blue flowers to be installed on the grave along with a new headstone and curb stones.

But this has now been stolen by someone pretty determined to have it removed, suggesting they might have a grudge against the family.

“I am pretty gutted” said mother of three Marie. “It was his birthday and I went down on a visit and to place some flowers when I discovered it. My mum is really upset. To think someone took a hammer and chisel to it is sickening.

“I am completely heartbroken by this. My dad died when I was 17 and I was really close to my grandfather. I just want the stone back. I can't afford to replace it again. My grandfather was a kind hearted, jolly, amazing man. He would do anything for anyone.

I don't know what will happen about the grave. My family are heartbroken they would like him left alone. If your grave isn't safe then what is?”

Mrs Hart says the stone was removed sometime between the April 19 and April 29.

“The slate was cemented in place so something like a crow bar or chisel and hammer would have been required,” she said. “It was also quite heavy. Did anyone see it after the April 19 so I could narrow down the time? Has anyone seen it anywhere else or seen anyone with it.”

She is offering a reward to anyone who can offer information leading to its recovery of the slab which cost around £2,000.

Roi Pearson lived in Leedstown and St Blazey areas most of his life. Following his death, his wife and Marie's grandmother Ethel passed away six months later and is buried in the same plot, along with his parents.

Anyone with information should contact PC Ian Stone of Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 quoting the crime reference number CR/029348/15.