A mother has hit out at thieves who stole her daughter's Christmas present and a christening gift.

Thieves broke into Penny Burbridge's flat in Nayland Drive, Clacton, and made off with around £280 worth of items.

They took a silver christening bangle and a doll which would have been her daughter's Christmas present.

However Penny refused to let the burglars ruin her festive celebrations.

She said: "It was right before Christmas and I had had enough, but I was not going to let these people spoil it and make me a victim in my own home.

"If I start crying and getting depressed then I have let them beat me."

Penny, 22, had gone shopping in Clacton with her sister Justine Yates on December 19 when the break-in took place. She said: "We had a really good day buying presents, I came back home and my door was ajar.

"I walked in and the stereo my mum had bought me had gone, I'd only had it for a week."

A silver christening bangle with a cut diamond, which was a gift from friends to Penny's daughter, 16-month-old Nakita, was also stolen.

Anyone with information should contact Clacton police on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .

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