CALLOUS thieves have stolen a tribute laid by the grieving family of a Newsome toddler.

The two-year-old boy was killed after running into the path of a car on Newsome Road.

Now, the family's grief has been made worse by the actions of thieves, who raided a roadside memorial to the youngster.

The accident happened 40 yards below the mini-roundabout at the junction with Stile Common Road at about 7.45pm last Thursday.

The following day, the boy's family visited the scene to place flowers and a football in remembrance of the toddler - Callam Cross, the grandson of Anthony and Lorraine O'Neill, who live on Newsome Road.

But within 24 hours thieves had snatched the football memento, leaving the family even more distraught.

Today, Newsome councillor Andrew Cooper called on those responsible to return the football to the memorial site.

He said: "It really is appalling. People steal a lot of things, but things like this might not cost a lot but they hold a lot of significance for the family. I would urge whoever has done it to return it."

An investigation into how the toddler was hit by a pale green Fiat Brava driven by a 20-year-old woman is continuing.

The boy is understood to have been visiting his grandparents' home.

He lived in the Newsome area with both his parents.

Clr Cooper said he would be raising questions about traffic-calming measures once the accident inquiry was completed.

He added: "I will be having a word with the highways department and the police to see if things can be done to prevent something like this happening again."

An inquest into Callam's death is due to open on Wednesday.