Alice with her borrowed bonnet Picture: DAVE EVANS Ref: 76614-7A PENSIONER woman had her lovingly made Easter bonnet stolen by thieves outside a Park South supermarket.

Alice Mason, 86, who has difficulty walking, left her motorised scooter outside Kwik Save supermarket in Cavendish Square while she popped inside for cut-price groceries.

When she returned she discovered the hat which she had placed inside a plastic carrier bag was missing.

Alice, who lives in a flat off Raleigh Avenue, had been hoping to enter the hat in an annual competition run by the Senior Citizens Club at Reuben George Hall.

The former nurse, who helped treat wounded troops during World War Two before moving to Princess Margaret Hospital, was left upset and shocked by the theft, which happened yesterday morning.

"I don't know why they took it," said Alice, who was awarded a gold watch in 1981 for 30 years service.

"It's not worth anything. They don't stand to gain anything from it do they? I don't know why they did it.

"Whoever took it must be pretty mean if they want an old lady's hat.

"It took me a long time to make it had little eggs and a chicken stitched on."

Fortunately a kind-hearted friend helped temporarily restore her faith in human nature by lending her a spare hat.

"A lady kindly lent me her spare hat," she said.

"And it came second in the competition.

"It was a little big I joked that Doreen must have a big head."

Jean Ives, club secretary, who described Alice as one of the most popular members, condemned the thieves.

She said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting.

"Whoever took it must have known that it was an old person's scooter.

"And when they picked the bag up they would have felt that it was light and not going to be worth much.

"Alice loves coming here to the centre.

"She has no family and this is probably the only place she goes to mix with others."

Jason Gibbs, duty manager of Kwik Save, fears crime is on the rise.

"This sort of thing seems to be increasing across Swindon. It's sad," he said.

Anyone with information should call the Evening Advertiser newsdesk on 01793 501806.

Alternatively, the hat can be left anonymously if necessary in the reception area of Reubens George Hall marked for the attention of Alice.

Kevin Shoesmith