THE plight of an Alton woman who put out a heart-rending plea for the return of her husband’s memorial stone after it was stolen from Alton Cemetery has been heeded by a Bordon businessman who has provided her with a replacement.

The unusual blue marble stone marked the resting place of well-known builder Colin Bishop, who died just before Christmas 2016 aged 60.

Wife Linda and daughter Claire went to visit the grave on Christmas Eve and discovered that the horizontal stone, along with the vase of flowers set on top, had vanished.

The theft ruined the family’s Christmas, according to Mrs Bishop, who was so distraught that she put out a plea in the hope that the thief might feel some remorse and return the stone.

While this hasn’t happened, there was a ray of hope cast by Gemma and Paul Froud of First Stone Limited in Bordon, who have kindly donated a replacement stone, in the same colour, polished and with a hole for a vase.

All Mrs Bishop has to do is have the stone engraved.

While Mrs Bishop has since discovered that, by pure coincidence, she used to work with Mr Froud when he was a manager at Alton Sainsbury’s, she said: “His wife first got in touch with my daughter and at the time we had no idea who Paul was, so it was a complete surprise. He didn’t realise it was me, he made the offer out of the kindness of his heart and I am very, very grateful to him and his wife.

“I just want to say thank you on behalf of Colin Bishop’s family for this kind and generous donation.”