A GRIEVING widower has launched an appeal to get back precious photos of his partner.

Sainsburys worker Phil Shipp says he had his wallet stolen while at Tesco in Lakeside, Thurrock, on Thursday morning . Aside from losing his cash and cards, he was carrying irreplaceable pictures of Caz Shipp, 48, who died four weeks ago after battling cancer.

Mr Shipp, 45, who works in Chafford Hundred, put a status on Facebook to try to get the photos back.

The post has already been shared more than 26,700 times as people spread the word.

Writing on his Facebook page, Mr Shipp said: “Please keep the money, may it buy you happiness, but I beg please, please, please could you return the photos inside of the wallet of my beautiful partner who passed away four weeks ago after a long, brave battle with cancer.

“The photos are irreplaceable and one of my most treasured possessions - one that can never, ever be retaken.”

Mr Shipp added: “I’m just heartbroken really. The photos are very precious to me, I have no copies of these two pictures and they were pictures of me and Caz at Christmas before she became terminally ill. Precious photos of her last days before she died on January 13.”

He also thanked the public for “restoring his faith in humanity” with their “amazing” response.

The theft took place at 11.30am yesterday Thursday February 11 when Mr Shipp’s wallet was taken from his Sainsburys’ zipped uniform pocket.

Anyone with information should call Grays police on 101.