DETECTIVES investigating a string of burglaries have issued photographs of some distinctive stolen items.

The items include an unusual child’s pocket watch from the 1940s depicting an animated cowboy on its face, a pocket watch, a fob watch and a Stockton and Darlington Railway 180th anniversary first day cover.

Other stolen items include a large amount of jewellery and electrical goods.

They were stolen in five separate burglaries in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire on November 27 and November 28, in the late afternoon and early evening.

Homes in Stoneybrough Lane, Byland Avenue and Topcliffe Road, in Sowerby, and Long Street, Topcliffe, were targeted.

Police are appealing to members of the public who may have been offered the items for sale or anyone who saw any suspicious vehicles, people or activity in the areas where the burglarys took place to contact them.

A police spokesman said: "One possibility is that the suspects are from out of the area and may have travelled from the North East into North Yorkshire.

"Therefore officers are appealing to any members of the public, dealers or second-hand shops across the region who recognise the items to get in touch."

Anyone with any information should call police on 101, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800- 555111 or email cidnorth@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk