BURGLARS have left a disabled widow with just two sofas, a fridge and wall unit after they stripped her house bare.

Christine Hunter, 51, is wheelchair- bound and worked hard to furnish her house with her husband, David, a former long distance lorry driver and fund-raiser who died four years ago.

But this week, she found the possessions they had carefully saved for had been stolen in a callous break-in at her home on Howard Close, Bishop Auckland.

They left the council property in turmoil, stealing everything they could, including two single beds, a washing machine, tumble dryer, a new kitchen table, curtains, a mirror and change she had been saving for her 13 grandchildren.

Cheques for her heating allowance were also taken.

The widow, who was uninsured, had been staying with her daughter at the time of the break-in, after being struck down with flu.

"I was just gutted when I walked through the door and saw what had happened. I felt as though I lost my husband again. I just felt empty," she said.

Mrs Hunter, who is back living with her daughter, Amanda, was on a waiting list to move to council accommodation in Stockton, so she could be nearer her stepfather, an Alzheimer's sufferer.

Some of her possessions had been packed into boxes ready to move.

Detective Constable Tony McDougall, of Bishop Auckland police said: "This is a despicable thing to do.

"This lady was disabled and she's lost everything.

"We would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact us on (01388) 603566.