A woman suffering from terminal cancer had her lifesavings stolen as she sat taking in the sunshine in her own back garden.

In what police described as a “despicable and heartless crime” Lorraine Harling, 61, claims sneak thieves managed to get into her house to steal a large white container with more than £2,600 in it as she relaxed in the garden of her Wessex Drive home in Didcot last Friday.

Ms Harling, who has terminal pancreatic cancer, realised the container had been taken the following day and called the police, who say she is distraught.

It contained cash which she had been saving for around five years.

She said: “I had been out in the garden for a while because of my health. I wasn’t gone long.

“They didn’t take my purse or my jewellery.

“I cannot go to the shops, so when I get my money I get my carer to draw it out for me and I put it in this bottle.

“I was saving so I could move house and it costs £2,000 to have a furniture lorry.

“I don’t want to go to a hospice.”

It is believed the thieves struck between 12.30pm and 4pm.

Investigating officer Pc Ross Duff said: “This is a despicable and heartless crime involving the theft of more than £2,000 in cash from a woman who is suffering from terminal cancer.

“There was a mixture of coins and notes in the container and the notes would be quite distinctive as they were folded into very small squares so will have a checked pattern of creases on them.

“A woman has been voluntarily interviewed about this theft but the investigation is ongoing and I would like to speak to any witnesses who saw a person or persons acting suspiciously in the area of Wessex Road on Friday afternoon.

“Do you know someone who has come into a large amount of money or have you seen any notes with the distinctive folding pattern on them?.

“The victim is distraught by the theft as, effectively, her life savings have been taken.

“Se will do all we can to catch the person or people responsible.”

Anyone with any information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555111.