A RETIRED care worker has urged shoppers to be vigilant after thieves stole her purse which had an irreplaceable photo of her father inside.

Barbara Livermore, 72, of Camberton Road, Braintree, had just finished shopping in Tofts Walk Sainsbury's, when she was robbed of her purse, which included a photo with great sentimental value.

As she was leaving the store between 11am and 11.30am on Tuesday, Mrs Livermore stopped by the door to take a free newspaper when her path was blocked by a man which prevented her from leaving.

She said: "There were two people that were there, one stopped me from leaving.

"It was so strange, I bent down to pick up one of the free papers near the doors and there was a man behind me and a great big man in front of me who would not move out the way.

"He was tall and had a foreign accent. He was a big scary looking man and he looked like he was on the phone. In the end I had to say excuse me quite loudly before he moved.

"I was a bit cross and was shaking my head. By the time I got to my car, which I had left in Sainsbury's car park, it was gone.

"I have been shopping there for a long time and this has really upset me because."

Mrs Livermore went running back to the store to see if she had left it behind, but a cashier told her told her there was nothing there.

After speaking with a manager Mrs Livermore was told there was nothing on CCTV.

She said: "To me it's quite an emotional thing. I feel horrible.

"I'm still getting over it. There was only £7 in it and some loyalty cards but there was a lovely picture of my dad in there.

"He was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers section of the British Army and there was a picture of him in Egypt or somewhere. He was standing by this big green vehicle.

"I've lost that now and I can't ever replace it. I don't have a great deal of photos of my father so that's upset me."

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers is extremely important to us and we’re helping the police with their inquiries.”

Police are investigating the theft of the purse and anyone with information is asked to contact police in Braintree on 101.