A YOUNG couple's plans to get engaged while on holiday have been shattered after thieves struck at their home.

Heartbroken Donna Lee and fiance Kevin Mullarkey woke at their home in Margaret Road, Penwortham on Saturday to discover thieves had stolen an engagement ring and travel documents hours before they were due to jet off to Madrid.

Their £600 five-day trip was set to be extra special as the couple had not told their families about the engagement and hoped to spring the good news on them by telephone while they were away.

Donna, 24, said: "We are absolutely gutted, I couldn't believe it.

"I woke up at half past four on Saturday morning, and went down to get my make-up bag, and it had gone.

"We realised our hand luggage and my work bag had gone too. That was when it hit us what had happened."

The couple, who have been together for two years, had spent six weeks planning the break to the Spanish capital.

But the thieves, who struck between midnight and 4.30am, ruined the couple's plan after stealing their holiday tickets, passports, 485 Euros and Donna's gold engagement ring.

Donna, who works in IT at the Royal Preston Hospital and has a six-year-old son, said: "We hadn't told any of our family. It's just a sad way for everybody to find out, they were all so shocked."

The couple are now hoping their insurance will cover the losses.

Detective Constable Mike McKortel, of Penwortham police, said: "We would be interested in hearing from anyone who has been approached to buy this engagement ring or the two watches, or anyone concerned by somebody suddenly having a large number of Euros in their possession."

Anyone with information should ring the police on 01772 209642.