Burglars raided the home of newlyweds just two days after they left for their honeymoon.

Mitch Phillips and Elaine Stowe believe they were targeted by villains who knew they were going away and their home would be filled with wedding gifts and valuables.

They lost £10,000 in belongings and cash and today offered a £1,000 reward to catch the culprits.

Items taken included an engagement ring from Elaine, nicknamed Shu, to her husband, enscribed: "With all my love forever, Shu xxx."

She said: "The worst thing was that it happened while we were on honeymoon.

"It didn't spoil the trip but it makes you feel uneasy and nervous.

"We lost champagne, electrical equipment and sentimental things like a bunny hair clip given to me by my mum when I was three."

Mitch, 34, said: "This was absolutely horrible. The timings surrounding our honeymoon while our flatmate was away as well prove this was a calculated act.

"Information about our movements must have been given to these rogues or they live locally and took advantage of the situation."

The couple, both sports injury therapists, were married on May 29 at Slaugham Place, Haywards Heath, and left for their honeymoon in Thailand on June 1.

They received a phone call from Elaine's father, breaking the news of the burglary, and they returned to their home at Studio 57, their sports injury clinic, in Queen's Place, Hove, on Monday this week.

Elaine, 25, found the contents of cupboards and drawers strewn around their bedroom.

She said: "It is horrible to know they've been through your stuff and taken things that mean so much to you yet they wouldn't give a second thought about."

Mitch, who also practises at the David Lloyd Centre in Brighton Marina, lost his Bose hi-fi, bedroom television, an iPod, lap tops and a Canon SLR digital camera.

Their flatmate lost jewellery worth £2,500, a DVD player and a mini hi-fi.

Mitch said: "This was really low and we are determined to try to identify those responsible. We don't want this to happen to anyone else."

The £1,000 reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the raiders.

Inspector Beryl Bacon said: "This was a very distressing crime.

"We would urge anyone with information about the break in or the items stolen to come forward."

Call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.