Heartless thieves have stolen a set of headstones, leaving two bereaved families unable to mark the graves of their loved ones.

Bizarrely, the burglars took a specially ordered set weighing almost two tonnes rather than the smaller and more saleable ones.

The raiders also took a Celtic cross from a stonemason's premises on Thursday night last week. The cross was being stored until the earth on a grave settles.

Nick Batt, owner of Kenward and Son, in Greenford Road, Greenford, said he had never seen anything like it in 19 years with the company. They had been forced to bring in steel containers to lock everything away.

He added: "It's almost as if they targeted that one as they ignored stuff that would be far easier to sell.

"We've never had someone steal a full size memorial before; it's very odd.

"The family had to wait about 11 weeks for it and now they're going to have to wait again.

"The stone can't be sourced from anywhere. It had to imported from India. It's very distressing for the families."

The grey granite headstone with a design of white roses around the top and sides was taken along with curb stones and a stone vase for flowers.

Despite costing about £3,000 to buy, it would be practically worthless to thieves.

Mr Batt said: "It's so distinctive that it would be recognised if it was taken anywhere to be engraved or sold.

"If it had just been the Celtic cross I would have thought it was some sort of silly Halloween prank.

"But they would have to have gone to a lot of effort with the set.

"They would have had to use a crane or got it through the railings by hand as the chains on the gates weren't cut. It's difficult enough when the gates are wide open, the headstone alone weighs 75-100 kg."

In a further twist another headstone was vandalised in a break-in on Tuesday last week.

Mr Batt said: "They smashed it trying to get a plaque off. It's only about two millimetres thick so there's no real scrap value.

"I can't see what the motive was. "To have it twice in a week is very odd, normally the only vandalism we would get would be once every two or three years." #

* Anyone who can help should call Ealing Police on 0300 123 1212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.