The missing cross was dedicated to motorcyclist Matthew Bownds, who died in a crash last September, and his distraught mother, Debra Bownds, is urging people to come forward with information.

“I know he isn’t buried there but it’s where he died,” she said.

“It’s just so cruel.”

Mrs Bownds said her other son, who made the cross, was devastated when it was removed last month.

“He was an absolute mess because we had no idea where it had gone,” she said.

“It’s bad enough having one son die without having to try and pick the other one up all the time.”

Mrs Bownds said the missing cross brought back feelings from the accident.

“Your heart just rips apart,” she said.

Mrs Bownds said they worked to make the memorial look presentable so it wasn’t a distraction for other drivers.

She begged for anybody with information to come forward.