Artist cheers memorabilia theft victim

A Shropshire pensioner left heartbroken after his prized collection of Spitfire memorabilia was stolen in a raid on his home has been given some early Christmas cheer.

Oswestry-based aviation artist Robert Evans read what had happened to Wilfred Jackson and was so shocked he popped by yesterday to hand over one of his framed Spitfire portraits.

Mr Jackson, 78, from Telford, lost Spitfire clocks, plaques and pictures hanging proudly on his bedroom wall when his Dawley home was ransacked last week.

He fell in love with the World War II planes when, as a nine-year-old boy, he used to watch them in the night sky.

Mr Jackson, who served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in occupied Germany after the war, said the portrait would take pride of place on his bedroom wall, replacing the items that had been stolen.

He said: "It really hit me hard losing the Spitfire items but this is a very generous gesture from Robert and I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

"It is a wonderful picture and I will be hanging it on my bedroom wall."

Mr Evans said: "I read the story in the Shropshire Star and felt I had to do something to help.

"Donating a picture was the least I could do and I know after meeting Wilfred that it will be looked after and treasured."

The pensioner was cashing a £5 gas rebate in the town centre when thieves kicked in the side door of his house.

As well as the Spitfire themed items, the thieves also got away with two televisions, a DVD player, two video cassette players and an old computer monitor, tower and printer.

Police are investigating the October 20 burglary.

Anyone with any information on the raid or the Spitfire items, is urged to call Telford police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Wayne Beese