CHILDREN at a Teesside refuge may have to go without Christmas presents this year after they were stolen by burglars .

The presents had been donated to the Women's Refuge, in Middlesbrough, so that children spending Christmas there and former residents can enjoy the festivities.

This year, radio station TFM handed over two sacks of presents from its Give a Child a Christmas appeal, and Barclays Bank donated a kitchen set for the refuge's newly-refurbished kitchen.

But staff at the refuge, which is in a secret location in Middlesbrough, were horrified to discover a window had been broken and most of the presents stolen earlier this week.

Worker Dawn, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "We are absolutely distraught. All the presents had been unwrapped and there was paper everywhere, but no presents.

"I just feel physically sick at the thought of what these people have done."

A police spokeswoman said: " It is awful for anyone to be a victim of burglary, but more so for the refuge as members of the public have kindly donated presents."

Anyone who wants to donate gifts to the refuge can drop them off at the GMB offices, in 7 Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, or by phoning (01642) 225969.