A MOTHER of two has appealed for burglars to return keepsakes and personal items stolen while she was away on holiday.

Nicola Hargreaves, 26, was devastated when she returned from a family holiday in Greece to discover her home in George Street, Rishton, had been broken into and property worth £11,271 stolen.

But the items taken which caused her the most anxiety were christening bracelets, hospital name tags and baby teeth belonging to her two daughters, Ebony, six and Maddie, two.

Miss Hargreaves said: "It is not nice knowing someone has been in your house generally and I have thrown a lot of other things away now as they felt contaminated.

"But I was absolutely heartbroken and devastated when I realised what they had taken. These items are worth a lot to me but nothing to anybody else.

"I just hope that common decency will prevail and if anyone knows who has these items they will contact the police or have them returned to me."

Other items taken included two gold rings which Miss Hargreaves said were given to her by her grandmother who died last year.

Two other rings given to her as a 21st birthday present by her mother were also taken.

Miss Hargreaves said: "The jewellery also has great sentimental value to me and I am very upset about that too. These items can never be replaced."

The burglary is believed to have taken place between Sunday May 5 and Monday May 6 while Miss Hargreaves, her mother Patricia Hargreaves, 54, Ebony and Maddie were on holiday.

PS Dave Reddin said: "If anyone saw anything suspicious at the time of the burglary, or knows who was responsible they should call police on 01254 382141 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."