THIEVES have stolen thousands of pounds worth of jewellery from a village house.

The items were taken from a detached house in Barningham, near Barnard Castle, on Monday, June 3, between noon and 3pm.

The haul included three platinum eternity rings, one containing emeralds, the other two sapphires; a gold five-stone diamond carved half-hoop eternity ring with rose diamond points and a platinum eternity ring set with baguette-cut stones.

Other items stolen included two sets of cufflinks, one set made of rose quartz , the other gold; a 9ct gold ladies’ watch; an opal and chalcedony lozenge-shaped brooch and a three-colour gold circular pendant with applied garland oak leaf motifs on a chain.

Detective Sergeant Darren Phillips, of Crook CID, said: “I would appeal to anyone who thinks they have been offered any of these items for sale to contact police.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who noticed any suspicious activity or spotted any vehicles unusual in the village to get in touch.”

Witnesses or anyone who has been offered the items should call Crook CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.