A woman has been left devastated after thieves broke into her home and stole jewellery including her parents' wedding rings.

Carol Hayward, 60, was away from her house on Pier Plain in Gorleston when the burglary occurred. 

Norfolk Police said they received a report of the crime on Monday, December 18 - and that the incident occurred between 9am on Tuesday, December 12 and 9am on December 18.

Ms Hayward said that her daughter went to the house on Monday morning but the sofa was blocking the front door.

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When her daughter finally got inside, they saw that thieves had broken in through the back door and "absolutely ransacked every item in my house".

"They emptied everything out. They took jewellery and I-pads," Ms Hayward said.

"It's absolutely devastating. They took my parents' wedding rings. They took stuff that can never be replaced.

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"It's horrendous."

Ms Hayward said she is now "too scared" to sleep in the house and does not know when she will be able to return.

The police said that enquiries are ongoing.