Grandparents Norma Rattenbury and her husband Robert, 61, a financial adviser, believe they disturbed the thieves at about 3am on Saturday.

About £300 of lead flashing was taken from the extension at their Harton home.

Mum-of-two Mrs Rattenbury said: "My husband and I both have colds, so we got up at that time to get some medicine.

"We think maybe we disturbed them, and that's why the side of the roof, facing the back garden, still has a lot of lead left on it."

It's thought the thieves climbed up onto a plastic bin to access the low roof.

Mrs Rattenbury said: "We never heard a thing, even our Yorkshire Terrier, Abbey, who normally barks at the slightest sound never stirred, they must have been very quiet. I'm shocked it's happened."

The incident is the latest in a spate of lead thefts to hit the borough. Thieves are thought to sell the metal on for scrap.

The couple are now praying the good weather lasts, until builders can repair the damage.

Mrs Rattenbury added: "Hopefully it won't rain any time soon, or else the roof might leak."

As well as the grandparents's home, garden gates were taken from Calver Court, in Harton Moor, between midnight and noon on Friday.

Police are also reminding workmen to remove all materials from their vans after two incidents where copper piping was stolen in the Marsden area of South Shields.

The first theft happened in Fulwell Avenue when piping was taken from a van between 4pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, and from Marsden Road on Sunday, between 1.30am and 8.30am.

Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said: "I would encourage all workmen to store materials in a safe place overnight, especially those who work with metals like copper piping.

"And I would encourage residents who see anyone, or any vehicles, acting suspiciously in the area to contact police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police, on 03456 043 043.

In a separate incident, a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft after being seen with a quantity of metal.

The man had been riding around the Cleadon area on a bike when he was reported to police by a resident.

When officers stopped him he was carrying a quantity of metal.

He was arrested and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

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