A new mum says she is scared to be in her house without the doors locked, after callous thieves stole a fund for her newborn baby.

Leanne Cromwell, of Clover Fields, off Peter Lane in Carlisle, has been left shaken after intruders took her three-week-old daughter's money box, which contained more than £300 cash, while she and the baby were upstairs.

With no sign of forced entry she is convinced someone has come into the house while she was there.

"It more than likely happened when I was here. That's even worse than someone forcing entry," said the 33-year-old.

"I can't leave her now to even have a shower or anything, even with the doors locked.

"Now I won't leave any of the doors open. I won't even open a window.

"It's not even about the money. It's the fact that someone has come in the house."

Leanne and her partner Paul Frost, 28, started to save up for baby Jessica before she was born, and when she came along they started to add any money she was gifted by friends and family to a ceramic money box, which they were about to open a savings account with.

It was so full there were notes lying next to it which were also stolen. Cheques and vouchers on the same living room windowsill, which was filled with cards, were left.

Now, thanks to the generosity of family and friends and others who wanted to show their support, Leanne and Paul have opened an account for Jessica after more than £400 was raised in less than 24 hours to replace what was stolen from their tiny baby.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Leanne. "For them to have done that, it is just unbelievable.

"I just can't believe people are that generous."

Leanne's mum Maureen Cromwell, 70, of Cleator Moor, said: "It just goes to prove there are more good people than there are bad."

The couple have lived at Clover Fields for more than a year and have never felt unsafe.

While they are in the house the back door, which goes into a secure garden, is often left open for their dog Jack, a Shih-tzu, to roam in and out.

"I have never locked a door anywhere I have lived while I've been in the house," she said.

"I have never felt unsafe here until now. I just feel a bit unnerved."

Leanne and Paul only noticed Jessica's box was missing when they came to put some more money in it on Monday morning.

It's thought to have been taken sometime on Saturday or Sunday, possibly on Sunday morning, when Paul took Jack for a walk and Leanne was in the shower.

Police are appealing for information about the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.