POLICE are appealing for help to trace distinctive jewellery which was stolen during a house raid in North Yorkshire.

Much of the jewellery is from various places around the world and some items are family heirlooms of high sentimental value.

The burglary took place at a house in Linden Avenue, Great Ayton, on the night of August 29-30 but details of the incident have only just been released.

The stolen items include a silver, engraved bangle which was given as a 21st birthday present in the 1960s.

PC Debra Verrill said: “The jewellery is quite distinctive and anyone who believes they have been offered the items for sale or knows of its current whereabouts is urged to get in touch with the police.”

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Debra Verrill or email debra.verrill@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The other stolen jewellery includes:

• An elasticated Chinese bracelet made of jade beads some with a black and white stripe and jade earrings

• A sliver bangle set with lapis lazuli and mother of pearl from Arizona

• Gold bracelet set with turquoise polished stones from Italy

• Australian amber and sandstone earrings with glittering polished stones

• Russian silver ring set with three multi-coloured amber stones

• Violin shaped marquisite brooch

• Silver and lapis lazuli necklace and earrings from Jordan

• Jordanian cats-eye bracelet in silver with marquisite polished stones

• Jordanian silver, marquisite and moonstone bracelet

• Gold ring set with three rubies and two diamonds

• Garnet crucifix set in gold with matching earrings from Prague

• Dark sapphire brooch with matching earrings

• Silver water pearl pendant set with a grey pearl and white pearl on silver chain from Germany

• Grey waterpearl necklace with matching earrings

• Brazilian multi-coloured necklace set with semi-precious oval-shaped stones

• Diamond scimitar shaped earrings in gold and white gold from Dubai

• Gold filigree ring from Malta

• American jet earrings

• Cat’s eye ring and earrings with fish shaped clasp from Key West, USA

• Silver bangle with turquoise stone