Thieves stole a family's entire Christmas present collection worth about £2,000 before discarding the wrapping paper and gifts they did not want in the street.

Detectives believe raiders ran from the house carrying at least five large plastic bin liners each containing presents following the burglary in the early hours of Christmas Eve.

The gifts had all been wrapped ready for Christmas Day and were being stored in the bin liners in a spare bedroom at the house in Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford.

Police later discovered several of the presents thrown away in front gardens and on nearby roads. A trail of Christmas wrapping paper had also been left.

Detectives are now appealing for anyone who knows anything about the burglary to contact them urgently.

Investigating officer Police Constable Rebecca Nightingale, from Thames Valley Police, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area at this time. The offenders would have been carrying five large bags of items around the area at an unusual time of day.

"Christmas presents were opened and wrapping paper dropped in the street following the burglary. If you have any details which you think could help this investigation, please call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101."