Thieves have stolen a plaque commemorating the lives of two young brothers who perished in the Bradford City Fire Disaster.

Hazel Greenwood, whose husband Peter, 46, and sons Felix, 13, and Rupert, 11, lost their lives in the tragedy 26 years ago today, installed the memorial at a beauty spot where they enjoyed many happy times.

Mrs Greenwood said she was horrified to discover that the stainless steel plaque had been torn from its mounting and stolen when she made an emotional visit to it ahead of today’s anniversary.

“I was in a state of shock and disbelief,” she said.

“I could not believe it. It was clear that someone had come down here and done this. The plaque was securely fixed and would have to have been levered off.

“It is a small plaque and of nominal value, it is just awful that someone could take it. It has been there for 25 years and is dedicated to my sons. I am so shocked that this act of vandalism could take place.”

Measuring seven inches by four inches, the plaque bears the inscription: ‘Above here on the moors are scattered the ashes of Felix, aged 13, and Rupert, aged 11, who died in the Bradford City fire. This was a place they loved.’ The spot, at Widdop in the Calder Valley, was special to the family and holds many happy memories. The site is close to moorland where the ashes of Mr Greenwood and his sons were scattered.

Mr Greenwood was booking secretary at the nearby scout hostel and, while he checked the premises, his wife read newspapers while the children played in the stream.

A plaque on the hostel, now owned by the National Trust, bears a similar inscription dedicated to Mr Greenwood, who was deputy head at Bradford’s Thorn Park School for Deaf Children.

Mrs Greenwood, who lives near Keighley, said she doubted whether the plaque to her sons had survived the theft.

“They must have removed it for its scrap value – it will probably have been melted down by now,” she said.

Mrs Greenwood’s friend has arranged for a replacement plaque to be engraved and is investigating methods of attaching it to the rock which would hopefully make it more vandal-proof.

“This one was very secure, though – it must have been jemmied off,” said Mrs Greenwood.

Wendy James, operations co-ordinator at Bradford City Football Club, deplored the theft. “I am shocked. It is appalling – I cannot believe that anyone could do such a thing,” she said.“Hopefully someone will have a conscience and will bring it back.”

She added that the club’s thoughts were with Mrs Greenwood and her family.

Since her husband and sons died, Mrs Greenwood has helped to set up various trust funds in their memory, to help young people in the Bradford district.

Wreathes were today being laid at a memorial in Centenary Square, Bradford, to commemorate the 56 people who died in the fire disaster. Nearly 200 people were also badly injured in the blaze which ripped through Valley Parade as Bradford City played Lincoln in the last home match of the season in 1985.