A DEVASTATED family are appealing for help to get their grandmother's rings returned to them after they disappeared without a trace from a Poole care home.

Gemma Sales' 84-year-old grandmother Betty White is currently living at Hillsdon nursing home in Springfield Road, Poole.

Mrs White, who has dementia, was moved to the home a month ago after a stay in hospital.

But last weekend, four precious rings - an engagement, wedding and eternity ring, as well as another the elderly woman was wearing - disappeared and have yet to be found.

Both the care home and the family have reported the matter to the police.

Mrs White's heartbroken family say their beloved grandmother cannot leave her room.

Gemma, 33, said: "My nan is really vulnerable, so we're all devastated by this. She has been married to my grandfather for 62 years and has never taken her rings off before.

"All we really want is her rings back. The home say they have checked everywhere including washing machines in case they have somehow come off but nothing. For all four to still be missing is very suspicious.

She added: "This is really difficult for my grandad.

"If someone has taken them off her fingers, it beggars belief.

"It's really difficult not knowing what's happened."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 10.37am on Monday to reports of the theft of jewellery from an address on Springfield Road in Poole.

"Four rings are said to have been stolen sometime between December 1 and December 2.

"An investigation is underway. No arrests have been made."

A spokesperson for Hillsdon nursing home said: "We were the ones who reported it to the police and the CQC. We're working closely with them to try and resolve the situation."

The care home currently 'requires improvement' following a CQC inspection in June.

When assessing the safety and effectiveness of the service, inspectors found some improvements were needed in risk management and staff recruitment.

Gemma said she had since received an email from Dorset Police informing her that the matter had been filed as there were no further lines of enquiry.

The care home informed her they would be contacting their insurance company to try and recover the cost of the missing rings.