AN ELDERLY Ipswich man today told how he broke down and cried after he was burgled while his seriously ill wife lay in hospital.Eric Munnings, 83, was sleeping in his south-east Ipswich home when thieves broke in and stole more than £200 in cash.

AN ELDERLY Ipswich man today told how he broke down and cried after he was burgled while his seriously ill wife lay in hospital.

Eric Munnings, 83, was sleeping in his south-east Ipswich home when thieves broke in and stole more than £200 in cash.

Mr Munnings only discovered he had been burgled when he awoke to find his ransacked lounge last Wednesday morning.

He said: "I came downstairs at about 6.45am and it was an absolute mess."

"I was very shocked and I did cry.

Not only did thieves make off with Mr Munnings' cash, but they stole a silver medal and some old coins belonging to his wife who is seriously ill with cancer.

His 45-year-old son Adrian, who also lives at the address, said: "They took some old fashioned coins that were really personal to my mum.

"She can't speak really but it seems like she is upset.

"We are all upset about it but we will let the police deal with it."

Although this is the first time that Mr Munnings' home has been attacked, an elderly neighbour has also fallen prey to burglars the pensioner's family said.

Mr Munnings added: "They need to find them quick and put them away."

A Suffolk police spokesman said the burglary took place between 11.30pm on Tuesday and 6.45am on Wednesday.

He said: "An offender has got into the house through a rear window and has conducted an untidy search of the downstairs of the property and has stolen a quantity of cash.".

Anyone with information about the break-in should call 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.