A nursery owner has expressed her heartache after a camera containing a set of irreplaceable Christmas photographs was stolen.

Stepping Stones Day Nursery, in High Leys, St Ives, was broken into in the run up to Christmas and a camera which contained pictures of youngsters at the nursery meeting Santa Claus for the first time was taken.

Nursery owner Donna Moody said: “We are quite devastated over it all, these are memories that the staff, parents and the children would like back.

“For some of the children it was the first time they had met Santa and parents really wanted these photos.”

Also on the camera were images of the nursery’s Christmas carol concert and festive arts and crafts day.

“Normally we put the pictures in the children’s records so that the parents could have them to keep and we would display them around the nursery but obviously we can’t do that now.”

The incident took place some time between Thursday, December 17, and the following morning, with thieves breaking in through a window.

The camera is a silver Samsung and contains a blue memory card.

“We are appealing for anybody with any information or that sees the camera to let the police know. If we could just have the memory card back then we would have the photos back,” added Mrs Moody.

Cambridgeshire police has confirmed that investigations are ongoing relating to the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.