Granddaughter's plea for return of treasured replica Walsall mayoral chain

Sam Devonport's home was burgled on Wednesday and in the raid thieves made off with an irreplaceable replica mayoral chain – which was fashioned out of gold and had been given to her grandmother Ellen, Walsall's lady mayoress in 1946, after she retired from the role.

Raiders, who smashed French windows at the back of Mrs Devonport's Ballard Road home in Netherton, also took her wedding ring – which had been a gift from her aunt. Their haul also included Mrs Devonport's eternity ring from her husband Shaun after she gave birth to their daughter Kathryn. Shaun's two wedding rings – one which Sam bought originally and the second she bought later for him to replace it – were also snatched.

Mrs Devonport, who works as an activities co-ordinator at Leabrook House, Tipton, said the honorary medallion gifted to her grandmother after she left office was engraved with the name Mrs A.W.Percox – as she served alongside her husband as mayor, Albert William 'Billy' Percox.

The 47-year-old mother of two said she had worn it at family occasions as a mark of respect such as at her uncle Charlie's funeral, or other grand civic milestones like Armistice Day or even Christmas Day, as she had been told to by her family.

Mrs Devonport added: "We were insured but there's no amount of money that replace things like that. It's not everyone that can say a member of the family got to be a mayor or mayoress."

Her husband Shaun, a driver and furniture installer, had arrived home from work last Wednesday at around 5.45pm only to find their belongings strewn around the lounge and shattered glass in the kitchen.