THE parents of a soldier who died in Afghanistan have been left devastated after burglars took jewellery - including a locket containing an image of their hero son.

Alan and Sandra Johnson returned home to Bishopton Court, in Stockton, on Sunday to discover they had been burgled.

Thieves took more than £3,000 worth of jewellery, including a locket containing a picture of their heroic son Sergeant Lee Johnson.

Sgt Johnson, of the Second Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, was killed by a bomb blast in Helmand province in December 2007.

Mrs Johnson said: "We had been away for the weekend and when we got back we found the back door wide open.

"They got in through the bathroom window, which was closed.

"The took my jewellery but not any of my husband's, even though his jewellery, car keys and wallet were next to my stuff.

"I feel like they have just targeted me.

"I have lost two rings from my mother, who died three years ago and my locket, which had a picture of Lee in it.

"None of it can be replaced. It was valuable but it was more of sentimental value to me."

She said: "I am absolutely gutted. We haven't slept since it happened.

"I have been round all the jewellery shops in Stockton and some in Middlesbrough and Darlington too.

"It might turn up but I don't expect it will."

The thieves are believed to have burgled the property between 12.45pm on Thursday, June 9, and 2.10pm on Sunday, June 12.

They also took £70 in coins.

The couple are still recovering after thieves twice stole a commemorative plaque from a bench put in the Parish Gardens, in Stockton, earlier this year.

Mrs Johnson added: "We did some fundraising for that bench and then the brass plaque was stolen. Stockton Borough Council then replaced it and it was taken again within a few days. It was terrible."

Witnesses to the burglary in Bishopton Court are asked to call DC Hayley Miller, of Stockton Police, on 01642-302226 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.