A CATALOGUE of events has made the festive season less than fun for grandmother Maxine Smith.

The 49-year-old's purse was snatched while she was enjoying the Christmas lights switch-on in High Wycombe.

And then thieves broke into her home and stole two bags of presents, wrapped and ready to be delivered.

Mrs Smith, of Hillview Road, Totteridge, was left upset and shaken when she discovered the two BHS bags, packed full of presents for friends and relatives, gone from her living room sometime between 1pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday, December 14th.

She said: "It was very upsetting. They say these things happen in threes.

"First of all I had my car stolen, then my purse and now the presents. I am hoping things will start getting better from now on."

Mrs Smith is looking forward to spending Christmas with her daughter, Louise, and her three-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter Liza.

She said: "Luckily none of Liza's presents were taken. But they were in bags next to the stolen ones.

"I really don't know why they didn't take the bigger presents but I'm glad they didn't."

Mrs Smith and her daughter went shopping in High Wycombe the next day and replaced all the stolen gifts.

She added: "I was going to take them round to my daughter's house the very next day. It was shocking."

The presents included clothing, a digital camera and ornaments for her son-in-law, Vince, as well as Mrs Smith's elderly mother.

PC Sam Lewis, of High Wycombe police station, said: "The victim has been left very distressed that presents which she had carefully chosen and wrapped for family and friends have been stolen by heartless thieves.

"I am keen to speak to anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area or who may have even received one of these presents as a gift.

"Although presents under the tree look nice, they can be an invitation to a burglar so hide them away from view.

"Remember, at this time of year in particular the offenders are trying to fund their own Christmas so don't make it easy for them."