'Iain is our real-life Santa' - Family thank toy shop owner who saved Christmas after comic Jason Manford's plea following burglary

The thieves struck on Christmas Eve at the family home in Walsall while mother-of-two Amy Turley was working a night shift on the cancer ward at Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich.

After hearing of her plight, Wolverhampton toy shop owner Iain Ashbourne delivered 13 bags of toys for the youngsters in the early hours of Christmas Day. "I couldn't bear to think of them without a present to open," he said.

Chemotherapy nurse Amy returned home at 4pm to find the house in disarray with £600 worth of gifts under the tree and more hidden upstairs ripped open and taken.

Among them were six Lego sets and a light-up scooter. A 50-inch TV set and other items were also stolen.

But her shock and distress was transformed after her sister-in-law Gail Perkins, a police officer in Cannock, shared what happened on social media.

Messages of sympathy and support poured in – including an appeal for help from comedian Jason Manford via his Facebook page who said that if he lived nearer he would have taken something himself.

Among those who responded was Mr Ashbourne, owner of Batteries Not Included in the city centre, who returned to the shop at midnight to fill his car with toys before delivering them to the Turleys' house on the Yew Tree estate. He even brought a gift of bath bombs for Amy. Members of the public also responded by donating gifts, including two bags of toys from people in Great Wyrley.

Divorced Amy, 38, whose sons were with their father in Telford at the time, said: "It was amazing. Iain even included wrapping paper and batteries. The Christmas spirit is truly still alive.

"I wanted the boys to meet Iain so we could thank him personally for what he did. He turned a horrible experience into something heart-warming. He was amazing. My boys got more this Christmas than I could ever have provided for them. "

The thieves got in by removing a kitchen window and went through the house room by room, even emptying the boys' piggy bank.

When she arrived home, she was met by a trail of destruction with ripped wrapping paper everywhere, the treadmill in the kitchen on its side, her mattress overturned and wardrobes ransacked.

Mr Ashbourne was at home in Wednesfield after a busy day at his Wulfrun Centre store when he learned about the break-in.

He said: "Initially I thought there was nothing I could do because the shopping centre was locked down for two days over Christmas which meant not even shop owners could get access. It took me about an hour but I managed to get hold of security and met them there.

"I've got children of a similar age and just put myself in Amy's place. You could be a millionaire but no matter who you are or how much money you've got, if shops aren't open you can't replace Christmas presents. It was nice to be able to do it."

Forensics officers who responded to the 999 call found a footprint and handprints at the scene. They are appealing for information about the break-in.

Mrs Turley brought three bags of the toys, too young for her sons, to the children's ward at Sandwell Hospital. "I wanted to spread the Christmas spirit," she said.