Update: The couple have contacted the Gazette to extend their thanks to the community and police - which they described as "overwhelming".

They have said that the response has strengthened their courage, allowing them to "get on with it".

The 80-year-old man said they will carry on and "not let these people beat them down. 

AN ELDERLY couple in Whitminster have been left with nothing after burglars ransacked their home less than a week after they celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Burglars broke into the pair's bungalow and stole almost everything of worth – including decades' worth of jewellery steeped in sentimental value.

The couple’s daughter has said her parents have been left “heartbroken” and “traumatised” by what happened. She hopes that people in the area will be able to provide information leading to the return of the items.

The couple, who are aged 80 and 81 and did not wish to be named, left their Whitminster home between 11am and 2pm on Wednesday to do some shopping.

When they returned they found that thieves had smashed through their double glazed French windows to gain access to the property before looting the home for goods.

Many of the biggest losses are in the form of diamond, gold and ruby jewellery – purchased every anniversary by the husband for his wife. The woman's wedding ring and £300 in cash were also taken. These items were taken from a safe which was ripped out of the wall.

Their daughter told the Gazette: “They’re just traumatised and heartbroken. They had stuff that’s been in the family for generations.

“I just can’t really believe it. They’re not in the best of health and I’m worried this is going to affect them.

“They have had just about everything they own stolen.”

As well as jewellery the thieves also stole important documents including birth and marriage certificates from the safe. They also trailed broken glass from the window throughout the home as they conducted their untidy search.

The couple have only lived in the bungalow for about six months. Previously they spent years in Dursley, moving away to Cornwall a few years ago, only to return to Gloucestershire earlier this year due to their love of the area.

“They’re just in shock. I don’t think they can believe it has happened. They’ve had some of the stuff for so many years,” continued their daughter.

“They thought they’d moved to a nice little village location – and then this happened.”

The couple's daughter said the items are not especially valuable in a financial sense, but hugely important to her parents. She has offered a reward to anybody who provides information that leads to the items being found, or the safe return of the items.

If you have any information that may be of use to Gloucestershire Police contact them on 101 citing incident number 317 of August 3. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.