NEWLYWEDS Sylvia and Lhouari Marouf should be enjoying the time of their lives.But today they are desperately trying to overcome the heartache of having their presents and cards stolen on their wedding day by thieves who struck at the family home.

NEWLYWEDS Sylvia and Lhouari Marouf should be enjoying the time of their lives.

But today they are desperately trying to overcome the heartache of having their presents and cards stolen on their wedding day by thieves who struck at the family home.

The cruel burglars, who broke in at the couple's house in Spenser Road, Ipswich, did not even leave them with enough money for a proper honeymoon.

Sylvia, 37, said: "I couldn't believe it, I just collapsed to the kitchen floor in my wedding dress.

"They're sick, the people that did this. They took all my jewellery, my daughter's jewellery, the TV and video from my daughter's room and they tried to take the TV from the living room.

"All the household stuff can be replaced, but my wedding presents and cards can't be replaced. It's just sick.

"We hadn't even opened the presents, we were leaving them at home until after the reception.

Sylvia and Lhouari married at Ipswich Register Office before enjoying a reception at the Drum and Monkey pub, in Princes Street, Ipswich.

But their dream day turned into a nightmare when they got home.

Sylvia said: "My daughter got home and found the front door open. They'd been through everything – even my underwear drawer.

"The presents here were all from my family in Birmingham and from my children.

"There was money in the cards which we were going to use for a honeymoon. We were going to have days out because we couldn't afford a proper holiday."

A spokeswoman for Ipswich police said officers are investigating the burglary.

Meanwhile Sylvia is hoping against hope that some of the gifts from her loved ones are recovered.

She said: "I'm just hoping that the cards have been dumped in a box somewhere and get found.

"You do hear about it sometimes, don't you?"

Anyone with information about the break-in, which was discovered around 1am on Sunday, August 11, should telephone Ipswich police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555555.