THIEVES who got into a house in by crawling through a dog flap, went into a young cancer sufferer's bedroom and stole his pocket money.

Nine-year-old Billy Chamberlain, a keen young footballer who was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in February, had been hoping to buy a stunt scooter with the money he had saved added to some he hoped he would get at Christmas.

Mum Philippa Day, who lives at Beech Terrace, West Looe, with partner John Watton, said: 'The whole of Looe is quite angry about this.

'After the traumatic year we have had with Billy's diagnosis and now his treatment, we are obviously very upset.

'He has just had some scans and we are awaiting the results in about two weeks time.

'Billy is very careful with his money and likes to save, and all this has upset him.

'Luckily we are insured, but it's horrible knowing people have broken into our home and have gone through our things.'

Mrs Day said the burglary happened between 2pm and 3.15pm last Friday afternoon when the family went out shopping. They arrived back to find the dog flap had been broken.

Among the items missing were two laptops, one of which was Billy's; gold jewellery including bracelets and a watch, and an unusual freshwater pearl bracelet.

The thieves had been into Billy's bedroom and taken his wallet and the £1 coins he saved from his pocket money and birthday presents, which he had lined up on his bedside table, amounting to £62.

The family think they may have disturbed the intruders when they came back, as the front window was wide open.

Police have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries and are following up a lead from a local van delivery driver who handed in a parcel through the window to a man in his 20s who had dark hair and was wearing dark clothing. The driver said he could also hear another voice in the background. The parcel, containing Christmas wrapping paper, was left behind.

Anyone with any information should contact DC Kirk Duffy at Liskeard Police Station or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.