A FAMILY’S dream has been destroyed by burglars who ransacked storage units containing all of their possessions.

Gary and Marion Laverick were keeping everything they owned in three metal boxes while renovating a cottage.

But it was targeted by thieves over the weekend who used hacksaws to remove the doors.

They stole most of the expensive items and destroyed family photographs, wedding albums and a 20-year-old christening gown.

The couple and their two children have been living in Pelton Fell, Chester-le- Street, while working on Over The Hill Farm, in Newbottle, Houghton-le- Spring.

Mrs Laverick said: “They have taken our dream and turned it into a nightmare.

“It has ruined our Christmas.

We are devastated.”

Thieves struck in the early hours of Saturday and took games consoles, a motorbike and electrical equipment.

Mrs Laverick said: “It is not like a normal burglary where you can tell what is missing.

“We will have to empty all of the boxes so we can see what has been taken.”

The thieves opened bottles of spirits from the family’s drinks cabinet and left them after drinking the contents.

Police are hoping to get DNA from the bottles.

The family are offering a reward for information that leads to the conviction of the thieves.

Mrs Laverick said: “We have just found out that our insurance will not cover this.

“The thieves do not realise the damage they have done, or they do and they just do not care. Someone out there knows who has done this and I would urge them to ring the police or call us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0345-60-43-043.