LITTLE Hannah Cox had to be prised away from her beloved slide.

The toddler would spend hours each week on the play equipment she had been given as a Christmas present.

Her fun was ended when thieves broke into her back garden under cover of darkness and stole it.

Whatever Hannah gets for her third birthday next week, it will not replace her favourite red and yellow slide, which cost more than £100.

Mum Amanda Cox said Hannah was heartbroken after she told her daughter the sad news.

Amanda, 36, said: "It was an awful thing to do. I didn't really know what to say to her. She loved that slide and climbing all over it.

"What sort of a person steals from a child? It was clear from the type of play equipment it was that it belonged to a young child. I am absolutely disgusted. Trying to break the news to Hannah was horrible."

Police are investigating the theft from the garden in Romsey Road, Southampton. A set of children's goalposts were stolen from another garden on the same road on the same night.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman described the incident as sickening.

She said: "It was quite obvious from the type of equipment stolen that the property belonged to a child and it is sickening that thieves have targeted them in this way.

"We would obviously urge anyone who saw the equipment being taken or has been offered equipment fitting this description for sale to report it.

"While it is undoubtedly a cruel theft, it also serves as a timely reminder to residents to ensure their gardens are secure and sheds, summer houses and all outbuildings are locked.

"Certainly, the number of thefts and burglaries do tend to go up during the summer due to insecurities so we would remind people to stay vigilant and remember to lock all windows and doors, even if you might be tempted to leave them open in the warmer weather."