Heartless burglars stole thousands of pounds worth of rings from a woman while she was out helping a charity for the needy.

More than £7,000 of jewellery was taken as thieves ransacked the home Sian Clark’s home.

The stolen items included a bracelet given to her by her late father David who died when she was five years old.

The break-in happened as she was was giving up her time picking up items for Maundy Relief.

Sian, 52, who works for Boots’ property department, discovered the break-in after returning from the company’s headquarters in Nottingham where she had been collecting items donated by kind-hearted Boots staff.

She found that all her rings, necklaces and earrings had been stolen.

She said: “What they have taken is worth at least £7,000. They made a dreadful mess in the house, they jimmied open the conservatory window and broke the lock.

“They even took a broken plastic bracelet my father gave me.

“He died when I was five and it’s the only thing I have really that he gave me.

“It’s worthless but it was precious to me.”

She added: “It’s sickening really, I was out collecting for Maundy Grange while someone was burgling my house.

“I’m always very discreet if I’m going away when I’m putting suitcases in the car, I even make sure there’s no one standing at the bus stop.”

Sian, of Lowergate Road, Huncoat, also had around 40 rings stolen including some with diamonds, rubies and sapphires and a silver Tiffany ring.

Sian has scoured pawnbrokers for her missing jewellery and is appealing for people to be vigilant if they are offered any.

The bracelet from her father David was made of green plastic hoops inter-spaced with white beads.

Lucy Hardwick, project manager from Maundy Relief, offered her support for Sian.

She said: “We’re very sorry to hear of this and we’d like to thank her for her generosity in supporting us.”

The burglary happened some time on April 22 or 23 and was discovered on April 24.

A police spokesman said: “The offenders have searched every room in the house and escaped with a large amount of jewellery.

“These items hold huge sentimental value to the family so its undoubtedly an awful crime for them to return home to.

“An investigation is underway and I’d urge anybody that has any information about this burglary to contact Lancashire Police on 101.”