An appeal has gone out for help in catching a gang of burglars who ransacked a home and stole precious belongings.

A family returned from a day out and found the thieves had been through their home in Pork Lane, Great Holland.

It is thought they disturbed the intruders as they arrived home.

Barbara Plummer and her husband Francis had been to the beach for the day and then took their grandson Nicholas out for tea.

They returned to their home at about 9pm on July 30, to find burglars had entered the property through a window and ransacked the house.

Mrs Plummer said: "My grandson noticed it first and was saying we had been broken into.

"I heard my fridge humming as it had been left open and when I walked into the house it was in complete chaos."

The burglars had stolen property worth thousands of pounds, including two antique clocks worth nearly £3,000.

Mrs Plummer said they had taken a pillowcase off her bed and filled it with items, including all her jewellery, three watches, three mobile phones as well as cuff links and Nintendo computer games.

Items of great sentimental value were also stolen, including things which had belonged to Mrs Plummer's sister who died and candles sent from a family wedding which she was unable to attend.

Mrs Plummer said: "There were things which were really precious to me and cannot be replaced."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Terry Lambert at Clacton police on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111

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