A grandmother is terrified to be alone in her own home after it was ransacked by burglars.

Maureen Mellors, 78, was shocked to find her bungalow in Western Road in Gorleston had been broken into while she was out visiting family.

She found her bedroom ransacked and two safes missing, after burglars forced their way through the back door.

Among the items inside the safes was jewellery belonging to her late husband Bryan, which she had held onto for more than 20 years, and also savings.

One item of particular sentimental value stolen was a gold charm bracelet from the early stages of her relationship with her husband, which she had cherished ever since.

The break-in happened between 7.30pm and 11.30pm on Tuesday and has traumatised Mrs Mellors.

Her granddaughter, Becca Quinn, said: 'She is a widow and lives alone in a bungalow and the thought of people breaking into her home has terrified her.

'She is in still in shock. She has lived there since just before my grandfather died and has had no problems there before.

'It's been very difficult for the whole family ever since. The jewellery had been in the family for ages so it's really sad that somebody could just steal it.

'My nan is a vulnerable old lady who has been targeted and now she doesn't want to be in the house alone.'

The two safes stolen were relatively heavy set and were fixed to the floor of her home, leading Miss Quinn to believe more than one person must have been involved in the raid.

After the break-in Miss Quinn issued a plea on her Facebook page asking for anyone with information about the crime to come forward with information.

Mr and Mrs Mellors had been together since 1957, before Mr Mellors died in 1994.

The safes also contained a quantity of cash - savings which Mrs Mellors had been collecting over the years.

It is believed there was another attempted break-in on Wednesday night, which was unsuccessful.

The family - who are staying with Mrs Mellors for comfort - are offering a reward for anybody that can provide information that leads to an arrest.

Anybody with information should contact Norfolk police on 101, quoting crime reference 36/51033/17.