Thieves ransacked the home of a Baptist minister and his wife while they were taking a few days off after a very busy Christmas.
The Rev Bob and Angela Almond returned to Kirby Muxloe on Tuesday afternoon to find the downstairs flooded and every room in the house overturned.
But the couple said the only things of value taken were a silver long service award awarded to Mrs Almond's late father and a gold locket from her grandfather's watch chain.
Mr Almond said: "We had taken a few days off after a busy Christmas and we discovered the break-in when we returned yesterday afternoon. It looks as if they broke in through the back door.
"It seems they also went through every room in The Manse and went upstairs into the bedroom looking for cash and jewellery."
The couple are set to move to a new church near Bournemouth next month and much of their belongings had been packed into boxes.
He said: "They spent a lot of time unpacking everything. They also blocked the kitchen sink and flooded the downstairs."
He said: "There was very little to take – just a few treasured items of sentimental value. Among them was a silver Boys' Brigade Medal, from the 1930s, belonging to Angela's late father Stanley Hall presented for 30 years' service to the organisation. A gold hexagonal locket from her grandfather's watch chain was also taken.
"We would urge anyone who comes across them to contact the police."
Mr Almond has spent almost 20 years as minister of Kirby Muxloe Free Church and the couple are preparing to move to Dorset at the end of this month.
It is the third time
He said: "It has been a busy and fruitful time, with the church becoming more involved in the local community. However, the departure has been marred by the burglary and we hope the items they can be recovered before they move south."
The couple have been thankful for the support they have received from their neighbours.
He said: "We have had people coming in helping to clear up and repack our belongings. I would also like to thank the police for their response to the incident."
A police spokeswoman said: "The break-in took place some time between December 25 and January 6.
"We would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Barns Close area during that time to contact the investigating officer Detective Constable Christopher Coates on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
