BURGLARS stole £250 in change from a Hampshire home - ignoring Christmas presents, jewellery and a new laptop.

They searched the master bedroom of the house in Summerlands Road, Fair Oak, and took the cash in silver coins from a plastic Coca-Cola bottle, ignoring other valuables.

Police staff investigator Elaine Waller said: “This is a significant amount of change for someone to be carrying. It would be heavy.

“Burglaries are a rare occurrence in Fair Oak, so we do not want residents to be alarmed, but we would urge them to remain vigilant and security conscious, especially at this time of year.”

Any banks or shops which have had someone try to change that amount of cash are urged to contact police.

The theft happened between 8.30am and 1pm on Thursday, December 12.

Anyone with information should call PSI Waller at Eastleigh CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.