A PENSIONER has been left devastated after burglars ransacked her home and stole £2,500 worth of jewellery given to her by her late husband.

Kathleen Hunt, 70, of Blackburn Road, Darwen, discover the theft when she returned from a shopping trip.

Items stolen included a valuable 1922 silver dollar, a bronze plaque bought in Rome, a gold Rolex watch, bracelets, necklaces and a diamond watch.

Kathleen, who has lived in Darwen for 40 years, said: "I was bored in the afternoon so I decided to go into the town centre and have a look around. I came home on the bus at around 2.30pm and decided to pop in to my sister's.

"I was given a lift back home and when I tried the key in the door it didn't work."

Thinking it was a problem with the key, Kathleen visited step-brother, Bill Sudall, on View Road who forced the door open with a crowbar.

Kathleen walked through the house to the back door to find one of the panels had been smashed.

She said: "I'm very careful about these things and I always make sure the locks are on. My husband always told me to lock up and I always did."

Kathleen's husband, Albert, died four years ago and many of the items taken during the burglary, on Monday, were gifts from him.

She said: "They absolutely stormed the place and they went through all the drawers and just looked for the most expensive things to take.

"I wouldn't care if they stole my television and my video, but they stole the things that meant the most to me."

"I couldn't believe I'd been broken into and it's just devastating. I keep remembering more things that have gone each hour."

Sister, Lucinda Pomfret, 68, of Redvers Road, has been looking after Kathleen since her home was ransacked.

She said: "Kathleen stayed over here on Monday night because she just couldn't go back.

"It devastates people's lives and I don't think they understand that. It's like a bereavement."

PC John Entwistle of Darwen Police said: "We believe the house was broken into between midday and 6.15pm on December 30.

"A large amount of jewellery was stolen and we would definitely be interested if anyone has been offered any valuable items which might be linked to the burglary.

"If anyone has seen anything suspicious we would urge them to come forward."

If anyone has information for the police they should call 01254 353842 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111.