A FORMER military serviceman’s home was “burgled and ransacked” with three shotguns and thousands in cash stolen while he was on holiday with his family.

Steve Hyett was away with his wife Amanda and four children, aged 11, 13 and 15, in Lanzarote when thieves raided their Eckington home.

The 53-year-old, who now works as a builder, said he was called by police while he was abroad on Sunday morning (June 3), telling him about the burglary.

He said the three guns were family heirlooms and ammunition for them was in the house, but it wasn’t taken, while police said a kitchen knife was also left in his daughter’s bedroom.

“For all they knew, there could’ve been my four children in this house,” he said, referring to the thieves.

“It’s not nice at all to think what could’ve happened.

“The kids don’t understand the implications of what these people could’ve done.”

Mr Hyett, who has lived in the home on the outskirts of the Worcestershire village off Pershore Road for four-and-a-half years, said the thieves were “very selective” in what they stole.

He said they took silver jewellery, as well as all the four children’s money boxes and money the family was saving for a holiday – amounting to £3,500.

But didn’t take any expensive electrical equipment belonging to the family, who returned home on Wednesday (June 6).

The break-in is believed to have happened in the early hours of Thursday (May 31), he said.

A West Mercia Police spokeswoman confirmed police attended a property in Eckington, following reports of a burglary.

A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: “On Saturday, June 2 police were alerted to the discovery of three shotguns in Cheltenham which had been left in some bushes.

“Officers attended and further investigation resulted in two men from Gloucester being arrested.

“A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and firearms offences and a 23-year-old was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

“They have both been released under investigation pending further inquiries.

“The three recovered firearms are believed to have been stolen during a burglary in Eckington, Worcestershire.”

Mr Hyett said there have been “quite a few break-ins” in the village recently, including at least one other the same night as his home was targeted, where coats were allegedly stolen.

He said his and his wife’s cars were parked at the back of the property and the keys were apparently found by police laid out on the kitchen worktop.