A well-known Island couple have been left devastated after burglars broke in and stole not only an invaluable computer, but a chicken from their kitchen fridge and a kettle.

Geof and Chris Reed were asleep at their home in Marine Parade, Sheerness, early on Sunday when they were disturbed by a noise. Mr Reed got up to investigate and believes he might have seen a figure in the alleyway at the back of the house.

It was then the couple discovered they had been burgled and called the police. It was when they offered officers a cup of tea, they realised their kettle, and its base, was missing.

The burglars’ haul included an Apple laptop computer, a flat-screen TV, digital radio, a briefcase-style bag containing Mrs Reed’s Nokia mobile phone, credit cards, £50 in cash and a notebook.

However, it wasn’t until later in the day, when Mrs Reed went to get the chicken out of the fridge to cook that she realised Sunday lunch had gone missing, too.

But it is the theft of the white laptop, along with a bag of external hard drives and memory sticks, that has left Mrs Reed – the founder of the Island’s Big Fish Arts Trust – distraught.

Bought in 2007, it contained thousands of photographs of Big Fish events as well as pictures of the couple’s grand-daughter, plus vital documents and accounts relating to Mrs Reed’s Big Fish work.

Mrs Reed says the laptop would be virtually useless – both because of its age and because the offenders left its lead behind.

She said: “I am devastated about my laptop – it’s a really massive loss. You can replace TVs and things like that, but this is irreplaceable and if someone could bring it back, I would be so grateful and wouldn’t ask too many questions.

“I hardly ever cry but I was as close to it as I’ve ever been.”

The couple believe the burglars, who forced their back gate open, got into their home through a kitchen window and left via the back door.

The stolen properly is estimated to be worth about £1,500. No other houses in the terrace appear to have been targeted.

Police are appealing for information and anyone with information is asked to call detectives on 01622 604355 (quoting reference CY/7110/11) or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.