THOUSANDS of pounds worth of jewellery and ornaments have been stolen in a raid.

The detached home in West End, Wolsingham, was broken into between 10.45am and 12.15pm on Thursday, and thieves escaped with a large amount of gold and silver jewellery, silver cutlery, Royal Crown Derby ornaments and four Ladro figurines of girls and cats.

Detectives said a list of stolen goods is still being compiled, but a guess would put the value of the haul at more than £10,000.

Police are appealing for people in the Tunstall or Wolsingham area who saw anything suspicious to come forward, or contact them if they have been offered any figurines or seen them for sale.

The burglars, who struck while the house was unoccupied, broke in through a ground-floor window.

Detective Sergeant Kieran Reed, from Crook CID, said: "We think they parked their car on Tunstall Reservoir road from Wolsingham.

"They may have parked up there and walked across the field which leads to the back of the house.

"We would like to appeal to anybody who saw cars parked on that road or anyone climbing over the fence."

Anyone with information is asked to contact (01388) 762011.