A NEWLY-married couple have been left devastated after precious photographs of their wedding were stolen during the reception.

Mark and Alexandra Fane were hosting the event at their home near Fordingbridge when a Canon camera belonging to the wedding photographer was taken from under a table.

The camera’s memory card contains hundreds of irreplaceable images of their big day and the couple have urged the thief to return it.

The theft was discovered shortly after a group of gatecrashers were asked to leave the celebration.

Alexandra, who promotes the work of young artists, said: “Mark and I were devastated when we realised that the camera had been taken.

“The memory card means nothing to the person who took it - they’ve probably thrown it in a bin - but it means everything to us.

“If they’ve still got it I hope they’ll have a heart and return it.”

Alexandra, 54, and Mark, 59, married in London and held the reception at their home in Upper Burgate.

Alexandra said: “The Canon 5D Mark III camera belonging to the wedding photographer was big and heavy. At about 1am she slipped it under a table that was covered by a full-length cloth.

“When she returned 15 minutes later it had gone.

“The theft took place at about the same time that several uninvited guests infiltrated the party and were asked to leave by various people.”

Alexandra said the London-based photographer had also been left devastated by the theft.

A police spokesman added: “We are investigating reports that a camera was stolen during a reception at Burgate.

“The camera went missing some time between 1am and 1.30am on Sunday, September 10. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44170351059.