Ref. 28235-70A SWINDON family has been left devastated after all their Christmas presents were stolen during a burglary.

Thieves broke into into Wendy Middleton's Freshbrook home on Tuesday evening and escaped with £500 worth of presents all of which were intended for her five grandchildren, aged between four months and four-years-old.

Mrs Middleton, 48, of Crawford Close, had gone out for a couple of hours with her partner Andrew Whitham, 53, and returned to find her home ransacked.

She had shared the cost of the presents with her mother Gwen Beynon-Hayward, 67, from Rodbourne, who works part-time in an Old Town nursing home.

"It has been an absolute nightmare," said Mrs Middleton.

"We really wanted to make this Christmas special.

"The people who did this are animals. How can they do this to the children?

"I feel violated. They have gone through every single drawer and cupboard."

Among the items taken during the raid were a computer, a talking doll, a play mat and a bike.

A TV and video were also stolen.

Mrs Middleton has two children, Neil, 22 and Sarah Darling, 24. Neil has two daughters, Caitlin, four, and two-year-old Anna. Sarah is mum to Chloe, four, Luis, two, and four-month-old Jack.

Neil and Sarah say they will find it difficult to break the news to their children.

"How do you tell your two children that Father Christmas isn't going to bring them any presents on Christmas morning?" said Neil. "We were all looking forward to seeing their faces on Christmas morning.

"The thieves knew that they were children's presents but they still took them."

For four-month-old Jack, this is his first taste of Christmas.

Sarah said: "It is disgusting what these people have done. If burglars break into your house you expect your TV and video to be stolen not children's toys."

Alvina Kumar, of Swindon police, said: "Whilst all crime is reprehensible this burglary is particularly despicable because five children have been deprived of their Christmas presents

"We appeal for information to help us with our inquiries."

Telephone the burglary team on 01793 528111.

Kevin Shoesmith