BURGLARS have left an Ipswich man upset and angry after ransacking his house and making off with property valued at around £7,000.Today Jerry Bird made a heartfelt appeal for the return of his cherished silver tea set that had been passed down the family from generation to generation.

BURGLARS have left an Ipswich man upset and angry after ransacking his house and making off with property valued at around £7,000.

Today Jerry Bird made a heartfelt appeal for the return of his cherished silver tea set that had been passed down the family from generation to generation. It was worth around £2,500 but Mr Bird did not have it insured.

The 35-year-old discovered that the crafty thieves had used his own tools and ladder to break into both floors of his house on Norfolk Road at around 7pm on Saturday, June 28.

Window locks were not enough to deter the intruders who stole a TV, video and stereo along with some jewellery CDs, tapes and videos. They even took copper piping that was going to be used in the plumbing of his Mr Bird's new extension, and medication for his epilepsy.

Mr Bird said: "I am very upset that these sad individuals took the tea-set. They should be locked up and the key thrown away.

"I don't care about the rest of the stuff so much, but I would like the silverware returned. I hoped I would pass it on to my children in the future and it has a lot of sentimental value to my family."

Mr Bird had also withdrawn £850 in cash from the bank that day. He was going to by tickets to Paris as a surprise for his girlfriend Fiona on her 44th birthday.

He added: "I have lived in the house for three years and now want to leave as this is the latest in a spate of terrible things that have happened here. I feel dirty at home now as the burglars went though all my drawers and trashed the house.

Scene of the crime officers dusted the house for fingerprints in attempt to identify the culprits.

A police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm there has been a report of a break-in at this house, and a substantial amount of property taken."

Anyone with information is asked to call Dc John Grant on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.