Cruel thieves have stolen photographs of children from their father.

The burglars took dozens of pictures, which showed the children growing up, from a garage in Litchfield Close, Clacton.

Paul Tarten is now separated from his wife and his children live in Ireland.

He has no copies of the photographs and now he has appealed for the thieves to return them.

Paul, 40, currently lives with his father, William, who said the theft took place between 3pm and 9pm on Friday.

He said the garage door had been left open so he could get in - but a thief got in first.

They stole a £25 drill from one briefcase and another pigskin briefcase with steel edges. Inside were around 200 photos of Mr Tarten's four children, Ross, 13, Dominic, 11, Olivier, nine, and seven-year-old Sabrina.

The photos showed the first seven years of his children growing up and were irreplaceable.

The children's mother lives with them in Ireland and their father sees them occasionally when they visit.

Mr Tarten snr, 73, said the photos would be of no use to anybody and appealed for those responsible to return them.

"I am very concerned about getting his photos back, it's a big blow to him. It is distressing. It was the first years of the children's lives."

Anyone with information on the theft is urged to call Clacton police on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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