THIEVES who stole thousands of pounds worth of antiques from a North-East collector must have had specialist knowledge, police said last night.

Experts from Newcastle auctioneers Phillips are being brought in to value the five-figure haul snatched from a detached house in the Willington area of County Durham, last Thursday.

Detectives from Crook who are investigating the raid, which took place between 9.15am and noon, appealed for information last night.

Detective Constable Duncan Gill said: "The people responsible would appear to have a substantial knowledge of antiques. They knew which objects were valuable."

Many of the missing items were solid silver. They included several candlesticks, photograph frames, condiment sets, a set of five christening mugs, an engraved cigarette case, engraved napkin rings and a Lindisfarne cigarette box.

A 3ft-long mahogany brass-bound gun case contained an antique 20 bore double-barrelled Blisset shotgun. It had Damascus barrels with gold oval inlaid percussion hammers.

There was also a mahogany writing slope inlaid with brass, mahogany tea caddies, two antique clocks and a 14in Lladro figure of a uniformed naval officer carrying a sword.

Det Con Gill said: "Many of these items were valuable on their own, so the total sum will run into tens of thousands of pounds."

Anyone who can help police should telephone Crook CID on (01388) 762011.