THIEVES who broke into a house at Snodland stole electrical goods - and then bizarrely placed the family's hamster in the microwave before they left.

The intruders searched the entire house, taking two TVs, a video, a vacuum cleaner, a Playstation and some wrapped Christmas presents.

At some stage they took the hamster out of its cage and placed it in the microwave. It is thought they may have been disturbed as the microwave was not turned on and the hamster was not harmed.

The thieves struck at the house in Constitution Hill between 9.45pm on Friday and 2am on Saturday.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Maidstone and Malling Police on 01622 608189 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.