The son of late comedian Eric Morecambe said thieves who targeted his mother’s home must have gleaned from social media that she was out at the time.

Joan Bartholomew had travelled to Blackpool, more than 200 miles away from her home in Hertfordshire, for the unveiling of a statue in memory of her husband and his comic partner Ernie Wise.

Hertfordshire Police said it is investigating a burglary at an address in Harpenden between Thursday morning and Saturday evening, and a spokeswoman confirmed a number of items of jewellery were taken.

Eric’s son Gary, who was also at the unveiling at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, told Lancashire newspaper The Visitor: “There wasn’t masses of damage.

“My mum is a very realistic person, she doesn’t like to make herself into a victim. It’s just the way it is.

“I guess that’s the power of social media, they must have known she was away.”

At the unveiling of the £75,000 bronze sculpture on Friday, Ms Bartholomew said: “The statue is simply wonderful, Graham has really captured Eric and Ernie to perfection.

“For it to be unveiled here in Blackpool, where I personally have so many happy memories of Eric and Ernie and our families together down the years, is very fitting.

“This has been a really special day I will remember forever.”

Created by sculptor Graham Ibbeson, the statue was commissioned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Morecambe and Wise first appearing on stage together.