A mother-of-two has been left sickened after returning from a visit to Father Christmas to find her home wrecked by burglars.

Everything from Christmas presents to an alarm clock valued at only £2 were taken in the daytime raid on Jemma Barker’s house in Clayton Road, Great Horton, Bradford.

Jemma, 26, had been out of the house with her five-year-old son Jude, who suffers from autism, and Theo, three, between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

A back door was forced and the intruders rifled through drawers, taking anything they could lay their hands on, including the children’s Christmas presents.

“I can’t believe it – I am gutted,” said Jemma. “They have taken Christmas presents and also spare door keys so they could even come back.

“It will take the better part of £1,000 to replace everything. I didn’t have insurance either because I can’t afford it.”

The burglars also destroyed a portable building where Jude, who does not attend mainstream school, undergoes therapy with volunteers.

That work is vital to continue the progress he has made since returning from a training programme for children with autism at the Son-Rise Institute in Massachusetts in May. But now it will have to stop until the room can be mended.

“I am hoping someone will come forward with information,” said Jemma. “The people who did this need to know what they have taken from Jude – I hope if they are reading this they feel really bad.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed officers were investigating the burglary, which happened on Saturday. Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Bradford South Police on 0845 6060606.

e-mail: claire.lomax@telegraphandargus.co.uk