Christmas was ruined for a Fakenham family who had all of their presents plus Rolex watches, a late relative's jewellery and other items worth a total of around �20,000 stolen.

Restaurant owner Philip Wong, 40, his fiance Amy Cheung, 36, and her children Sophia, 12, and Phoebe, six, are devastated and want others to remain vigilant to ensure they don't suffer the same trauma.

Mr Wong said: 'It's a completely heartless act and this has ruined our Christmas. I feel especially sorry for the children. They burst into tears when they saw what happened.

'My fiance went out and picked up a few smaller things so the children had something to open on Christmas Day but the whole experience has been extremely upsetting for all of us.

'I've been telling as many people as possible and putting up notices in shops around the town to make people aware of what has happened and to encourage them to be vigilant.'

The burglary was carried out at the family's home on Queens Road some time between 4pm and 8.30pm on December 21. A rear patio door was forced open.

Electrical items including a MacBook Air and an Apple iMac and a safe containing Rolex watches, a large quantity of cash and jewellery was stolen. Miss Cheung's Volkswagen Polo was taken but recovered the next day, undamaged, in Highfield Road car park, near her home.

Mr Wong said: 'They took my fiance's late grandmother's jewellery. This has a lot of sentimental value and can not be replaced. It's horrible to come home to see broken glass everywhere and to know people have been in your house, going through your things.

'We have updated our security system. I've heard of a few burglaries in the area recently. Criminals know people have valuable items in their homes because of Christmas so everyone needs to be vigilant.'

Norfolk Police are investigating. Anyone with information should contact Det Con Larissa Foreman on 101 or call Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.