A little girl's Christmas is in ruins after burglars broke into a house and stole her presents.

The burglary has led police to warn all householders to take extra security precautions while expensive presents are waiting to be opened.

The offender broke into the house in Allerton and stole two bags of Christmas presents that had been wrapped up for ten-year-old Kerry Dunn.

Mum Andrea Dunn, from Coxwold Walk, made a tearful appeal for the burglars to return the gifts.

She was devastated when they sneaked into the family's home through an open window on Sunday night and snatched her daughter's presents.

She said: "I just can't believe that someone could do this to us. My daughter has been so brave but I just can't stop crying, I am so upset about it.

"I can't describe how I feel knowing that someone came into my house while we were here and stole Christmas from my little girl.

"I am just appealing for them to have a conscience and bring back the presents.

"Kerry is being so good about it saying we can put Christmas off this year but it's so unfair for her and to take away a child's Christmas presents just before Christmas is the lowest of the low."

Mrs Dunn said she left a bedroom window slightly ajar for about half an hour to dry off some washing.

She said: "It must have happened very quickly between about 8pm and 8.45pm because when I went back in to the bedroom later to put a hot water bottle in the bed, I noticed the curtain was billowing and there were footprints on the window sill.

"When I looked at the top of the wardrobe where I was keeping the presents, I saw the bags had gone."

The two big bags, which were all that was taken in the burglary, contained about £200 pounds worth of presents all for Kerry.

The gifts included two CDs, a radio, some videos, a Barbie Kitchen and Barbie dolls, some selection boxes, bubble bath, a nine carat gold chain with a K on it and books.

Crime reduction officer John Birkenshaw from Bradford police said: "If you're going out or even if you're in, make sure doors and windows are locked.

"Make sure your valuables, including Christmas presents aren't on show. It's a fact that there are more opportunities for thieves during the festive season, but we'd urge people to just take that extra bit more care and have a safe and secure Christmas."