A LANDLORD has hit out at thieves who forced their way into his pub on Christmas Eve and stole a safe containing cash and sentimental jewellery.

David Scott, who runs The Welcome public house in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, said his wife, Barbara, was devastated when he broke the news of the burglary.

A gold wedding ring and several items of expensive jewellery belonging to her late father were among the items locked away in the safe, which was stolen from the friendly Waldron Street establishment during the early hours of December 24.

“My wife was really upset when I told her,” said Mr Scott, who has run the pub for eight years.

“The jewellery was expensive but had great sentimental value too, especially the wedding ring.

“There is never a good time for things like this to happen but it is even worse at Christmas.”

The thieves forced their way into the empty pub by taking a crowbar to the bolted back door.

It is believed they accessed the beer garden by climbing through neighbours' gardens.

Once inside, they smashed up the fruit machine, before fleeing the scene with the safe, which also contained a quantity of cash.

Mr Scott made the discovery when he arrived later that morning at about 8am.

“The front of the pub is covered by CCTV so I think it was someone who knows the area,” said Mr Scott, 55.

“We have had someone try to break in before. They took out the back window but they dropped it and did a runner.”

Police have distributed a full description of the stolen jewellery to pawn shops across the town and people are asked to keep an eye out for anyone selling a large quantity of gold jewellery.

As well as the wedding ring, the collection includes several sovereigns, necklaces and an old fashioned silver charm bracelet.

Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.