After years of waiting and saving up Michael and Helen Butler enjoyed the wedding they had dreamed of last weekend.

They had a beautiful church service, a reception packed with people they loved, and a honeymoon in sun-soaked California to look forward to.

What they had not planned for was what they found when they returned to the reception venue the next day.

Their wedding presents - from the traditional crystal goblets bought by the groom's mother to the 'his and her' watches - had been stolen by thieves.

They even took the hired page boy suits, loaned for the occasion at a cost of £700.

Mr Butler, aged 23, head chef at the George Hotel in Bewdley and his wife, a 22-year-old chambermaid who also works there, met four and a half years ago and were engaged a year later.

They married at St Leonard's Church in nearby Ribbesford and had a buffet and disco afterwards at St George's Hall, Bewdley.

"There were about 120 people, all friends and relatives and we opened some of the presents we were given," said Mr Butler. "Everyone had a great time. It was the end of a beautiful day."

Next morning they went back to St George's Hall to start the clean up operation. First they noticed things which had been tampered with - like a bar shutter wrenched off the wall - then their missing presents.

Items stolen included six crystal cut wine glasses worth £50 and engraved with the words 'bride and groom' from Mr Butler's mother; a set of kitchen knives worth £150 and 'his and hers' watches worth £100. Also stolen were four bottles of wine worth £40; various small gifts worth £100, an Olympus digital camera worth £200, and $300 US dollars donated for their honeymoon.

Other presents which they had not even opened were also stolen.

"We were both upset," he said. "It was a big shock and we are both quite depressed about it. Every time we think of the wedding it's there.

"We are trying to look on the bright side, our wedding day was perfect. It was only the day after that was spoiled.

"The people who did it must have no feelings whatsoever."

Mr Butler described the loss of the page boy suits, hired from Greenwoods, as "a big blow".

"We were thinking, 'great we've paid for the wedding and we've got no more debts," he said. "Now we've got to find £700 for the suits we hired."

Two youths had been spotted hanging around the venue during the evening of the reception.

It is thought the presents were stolen between 12.05am and 9am on the morning of August 21, with the intruders entering the building through an unsecured toilet window.

PC Steven Clarke, from Kidderminster Police, said: "This is a totally heartless crime as the thieves would have known the wrapped gifts were wedding presents.

"This has been a very distressing experience for the couple and it is a real shame that what should have been the happiest day of their lives has been marred in this way.

"It is possible the offenders will try to sell these items locally and we are appealing for anyone who thinks they know who they are."

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Kidderminster Police on 08457 444888. ..SUPL: