A LITTLE girl was in tears after she woke on her birthday to find burglars had taken all her presents and cards.

Bethany Quinn, who was nine on Monday, was left with just one present, a pair of trainers, after thieves raided her home in Fern Avenue, South Moor, near Stanley.

They had even taken a bottle of pills for Bethany's cat, Tabetha, which suffers from epileptic fits, and a camera containing pictures of Bethany and her friends during a birthday sleepover at the weekend.

Single mother Christine, 36, an anaesthetic nurse at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, told of the moment she had to tell Bethany the news.

She said: "I had to tell her there was a policewoman waiting downstairs so she didn't get a shock. She was a little weepy at first but she has since tried to be quite brave about it.

"Friends and family have rallied round and bought her more presents and cards and we had a little party on Monday night to try to cheer her up. I told her the thieves were thoughtless people who didn't care about anyone but themselves."

The burglars broke in through the back door and searched the living room to steal Bethany's cards and her wrapped presents including a tracksuit, two CDs - Now 50 and the greatest hits album Steps Gold - toiletries and clothes. They also stole her mother's mobile phone and handbag, containing a purse and camera.

It is thought the burglars entered the house before 11.20pm on Sunday as a neighbour saw the back door ajar, but assumed Christine was letting the cat in.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Bridget Rolling at Stanley police on (01207) 232144.