A MOTHER from Middleleaze was horrified when she learned that her home had been burgled while she was on a family holiday.

Jayne Boulton and her daughters Kaitlyn Boulton and Bethany Holborow set off for a week-long trip to Weymouth earlier this month but quickly returned home when Jayne received calls informing her of the burglary.

Kaitlyn and Bethany were ready to celebrate their birthdays over the bank holiday weekend but discovered that their presents had been ripped open and the house had been ransacked.

The money from their birthday cards was stolen and their piggy banks full of pocket money had also been smashed and emptied.

Around £300 was stolen in total.

The burglars also took an irreplaceable engagement ring owned by Jayne's late grandmother.

The ring has a sapphire cluster in the shape of a flower with a diamond in the middle on top and X-shapes cut along its sides.

Jayne said: "These people are heartless, that ring is the only thing I had left of her.

"It was everything to me and I'm not hopeful that I'll get it back.

"We were relaxing on holiday and then we came home to this, I didn't sleep at all the night we came back.

"Bethany kept asking why someone would do this and I don't have an answer, it's so hard to explain to someone so young."

Kaitlyn's anxiety has worsened since a bracelet with charms that she'd collected from holidays and birthdays over the years was also stolen.

She turned 11 on Monday and her sister turned five on Sunday.

Jayne added: "I tried to reassure them and carry on as normal, buying cake and candles and having birthday meals, but it's hard.

"We were very careful but all these things I thought were safe and hidden are gone, the burglars searched every nook and cranny, they've been everywhere."

Due to a lack of phone signal, Jayne wasn't aware of the burglary for a few days, then discovered several missed calls when she got a signal.

During this time, the police had taken measures to secure the property and Jayne was left footing the bill.

She added: "We weren't expecting to be invoiced for £210, and it's just a board with a few screws in so I don't see how they can justify it.

"It feels like being kicked when you're down."

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: "We are investigating a burglary in Kilben Close, Swindon, which occurred between 6pm on August 19 and 4.30pm on August 20.

"A window was smashed and an untidy search carried out. Cash was stolen, along with jewellery including a sapphire ring, platinum band ring, solitaire ring, gold chain, signet ring, Samsung Galaxy Gear watch and a piggy bank.

"Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident and we'd appeal to anyone with information to call 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Jayne is urging other residents to be cautious and aware of the risks to their homes when they go away on holiday.

She added: "I don't want anyone else to go through this, please don't be complacent, even if you have never had this happen in your area, it could, be vigilant."

"If you are going away, leave valuables or items precious to you with friends or family."