A BURGLAR broke into the home of a retired couple and stole their valuables before driving off in their car.

A burglar broke into a home in Manor Road, Wivenhoe, and left with a laptop, tablet computer, jewellery and cash before making off in their silver Renault Scenic.

The grandparents, who asked not to be named, are desperate to get some of the most personal jewellery and mementoes back after the raid The wife said: “It is horrible.

They have taken jewellery which cannot be replaced and it doesn’t stop after the burglary.

“You go to get a new bus pass, but they charge you. They have taken the cash and we have had to cancel the cards.

“You want to pop to the shops, but it is the same problem.”

The couple spotted someone on a bike in the area as they left to visit family.

When they returned they noticed the car was gone, side door open and light on.

An abandoned bike, believed to belong to one of the burglars, was found dumped nearby.

She said: “At first I thought he may have parked in the road.

When I saw the door open I knew what had happened.” Her husband added: “I saw someone on the bike but didn’t think anything of it.

“When we came back I went around to see what was missing.

“There will be things we still don’t know about. They took my tools which I have had for years and won’t be able to replace.”

The raid, which took place between 5.45pm and 6.30pm on Monday, is one of four burglaries reported in Wivenhoe in recent days. Anyone with information should call Colchester police on 101.