A COLLECTION of football memorabilia as well as electronic equipment and jewellery, worth about £12,000, has been stolen from a home in the region.

Items including a framed Newcastle United home shirt signed by the current side, a Toon calendar autographed by ex-manager Bobby Robson and a pair of white boxing gloves signed by Alan Shearer and Malcolm Macdonald were among those taken from the home in Durham Road, Chilton, County Durham.

Also stolen was a 42in Panasonic plasma television, two Bush LCD televisions - one still boxed - a Ventura DVD player with surround sound, which was also still in its box, and a large quantity of jewellery.

The items were taken between December 28 and January 13, as the house was empty, although it is most likely they were taken between January 10 and January 13.

Detective Constable Dave Robinson, of Newton Aycliffe CID, said: "This property was targeted while it was unoccupied, and we would appeal to anyone with information about the burglary to contact us."

A reward for information leading to the recovery of the property and the arrest of those responsible is being offered by the victim.

Anybody with information about the theft is asked to contact Det Con Robinson or Detective Constable Neville Price, at Newton Aycliffe CID, on (01325) 742572.