POLICE are appealing for information after watches worth many thousands of pounds were stolen in a raid on an antiques centre.

The thieves struck late last Thursday or early last Friday at the Harrogate Antiques Centre on Leeds Road but details were only released yesterday.

A total of 98 watches were taken, varying in value from a few hundred pounds to £7,000 each and the makes included Cartier, Breitling, Rolex and Omega.

Police are appealing for any information about the thefts, in particular, anyone who may have been offered similar watches for sale over the last few days.

They also urge anyone who witnessed the break-in or saw any suspicious activity in the area of the antqiues centre to contact them.

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Harrogate CID or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.