Lego enthusiasts from around the world have stepped in to help one of their own after burglars stole the young Frenchman’s giant collection of Lego sets that had taken him 14 years to build up.

The Lego community set up an online fundraising page that within hours gathered thousands of euros when they learned of Louis’ distress after he posted a tearful video on his Youtube channel.

He said that when thieves broke into his home in the Paris suburbs they ignored computers, cameras, and watches but emptied his “Lego Room”, which housed his collection of tens of thousands of Lego pieces worth an estimated €16,000 (£14,000).

"I cried all night. Beyond the financial loss, it is my entire childhood that is gone," he said on his Youtube channel where under the name Republicattak he has built up a mass following with videos of his elaborate Lego structures, many with a Star Wars theme.