CALLOUS thieves broke into a house and stole a lock of a hair from a boy who died in a road crash along with £20,000 of goods.

Paul and Wendy Ellegard, who live in Southbourne Grove, Westcliff, were devastated when they returned home from a holiday in France to find their house broken into.

The thieves had stolen personal items including a wedding dress, Harley Davidson memorabilia, Enchantica dragon and fairy figures, and irreplaceable family jewellery.

Mr Ellegard, 51, said: "The trauma we have suffered following the burglary has been very difficult to cope with since the items stolen were of such a personal nature.

"My wife Wendy has been particularly affected by the loss of the lock of hair she had kept of her son who she lost in the road collision in 1987 when he was just six years old.

"A silver locket with his photograph inside was also stolen, which is also irreplaceable."

A collection of 180 rare smokers' pipes belonging to Mr Ellegard's late father were stolen along with an antique bellows-style wooden camera.

The haul also included a custom-made ring given to him by his wife on their anniversary. It carries the letters 'HOG' of which the 'O' had been made to look like a spoke-wheel with a diamond in the centre.

Investigating officer DC Tanya Bailey said: "Every burglary I deal with is in some way terrible but this one really does pull at the heart strings.

"These thieves have virtually wiped out this couple, taking almost everything in the house, including food and drink.

"However, strangely enough they tidyed up after themselves."

Anyone with information about the burglary, which occurred between Friday March 28 and Saturday March 29, is asked to call Police on 0300 3334444.