A 24-YEAR-OLD woman with fibromyalgia says she is "unable to leave the house" after thieves stole a hot tub used to ease her pain.

Kate Wellens from Grange Park was diagnosed with the condition aged 17, which causes pain all over the body as well as increased sensitivity, fatigue and muscle stiffness.

After saving for several months, Kate finally bought a hot tub for her home meaning she could relax her muscles and not have to attend expensive hydrotherapy.

However, less than six weeks after buying the tub, she was "devastated" to find thieves made off with it in the middle of the night on Sunday, August 5.

She is hoping the thieves, who she believes must know the area well, will return the tub once they know that it "is a medical treatment not a luxury."

Kate said: "I use the hot tub daily to help with my fibromyalgia pain as this is the only way I can function.

"They must have come in the night between 2am and 6am and gained access through next door's garden and removed the fence panels.

"They use massive sticks to knock the security light out then cut the live wires to the outdoor electrical weather box, emptied the hot tub and went away with it.

"They left their massive sticks behind. I dread to think what could of happened if anyone disturbed them, as the size of the sticks could of cause serious damage.

"I just feel devastated and unable to leave the house because I'm in such pain.

"I only got it around six weeks ago, it was for medical treatment not a luxury rather than paying out for hypnotherapy.

"I no longer feel safe in my own home and I am currently in the process of getting cctv installed to help me feel a bit safer.

"The theft has been reported to the police but if anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of the hot tub or who the culprits are please pass the information on. If the culprits are reading this please just return the hot tub and there will be no more questions asked.

"I just rely on it so much "