A BIDFORD family has been left devastated after they returned home from holiday to find their home broken into and thousands of pounds of treasured jewellery had been stolen.

County councillor Daren Pemberton and his wife Julie, of Marleigh Road, Bidford, made the discovery last Friday after thieves had forced open their conservatory door and searched the house.

Mr Pemberton said: "It wasn't very pleasant to find the whole of the upstairs in a state and then to find all of our jewellery, much of which had been given to us by our parents, had been taken, along with the television.

"Gifts we gave one another for our wedding anniversaries and birthday presents have all been taken. There is nothing left."

Mrs Pemberton, aged 44, said she had items stolen that were worth £3,500, which were given to her by relatives.

The mother-of-two said: "I don't care much about the television but the jewellery has such sentimental value that you can't replace it.

"There was a charm bracelet that my dad bought me when I was a little girl and a silver bracelet my grandmother had given me which was an anniversary present given to her by my grandfather.

"The only pieces of jewellery I've got left is what I was wearing on holiday and that's only my engagement and wedding ring."

Cllr Pemberton said: "Everything that was given to us and items we gave one another have all gone. The whole thing is so upsetting."

The only memory the couple have of their items is the bin bag full of empty boxes that once stored their jewellery.

Warwickshire police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anyone who may have seen any suspicious vehicles in the area. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the police on 01926 415000.