A FAMILY of seven is devastated after thieves ruined their summer holiday plans.

The Penny family of Wyke Regis, Weymouth, are appealing for the return of their Merlin Annual Passes which were stolen when their car was broken into during the day.

The passes, which cost more than £100 each, allow free entry for 12 months into some of the UK’s top attractions as well as discounts on refreshments.

For the summer the family had planned a trip to Alton Towers in Staffordshire as well as visits to the Sea Life Park in Weymouth.

Mum Lisa Penny, 36, is married to Kevin, 40, a mechanic, and they have five children – Shannon, 14, Tyler, 13, Nicole, 10, Chelsie, eight, and Jade, six.

They were among the families who tried to claim compensation after visiting the much-criticised Lapland New Forest attraction near Ringwood in December 2008.

Mrs Penny explained she did not realise her purse had fallen from her bag when she parked her car in the Bincleaves area of Weymouth.

When she returned later the passenger window was smashed and her brown Animal purse containing store and bank cards, photographs, about £10 cash and the passes had been stolen.

Mrs Penny believes the thief threw the purse away after taking the cash and cards.

The passes include a photograph of the holder so would be worthless in another’s hands.

Mrs Penny said: “I’m careful about not leaving valuables on show in the car but my purse dropped out by accident.

“I was hoping it would be there when I got back after lunch but it had gone. The children were really upset.

“I’m not worried about the other things in the purse, although the photographs were special.

“We got the kids bits and pieces for Christmas but the main thing was the passes, which we thought were brilliant value.

“They give you unlimited access to attractions and with five kids and in this financial climate that’s a bonus.”

The family had planned a two-day break at Alton Towers but that trip now looks in doubt.

Mrs Penny said: “It’s obviously just an opportunist who took my purse but they won’t realise how much the passes meant to us.

“The purse is probably in a hedge somewhere and I’d ask people to look out for it.”

Police said a call was received on Monday afternoon to report a Toyota people carrier in Redcliffe View had been broken into.

Witnesses and anyone with information can call Dorset Police on 01305 222222.