POLICE are appealing for information after more than £20,000 worth of jewellery and thousands of pounds were stolen from a flat.

The burglary took place between 4pm and 4.20pm on Monday, November 3 in Tow Law.

A group of two men and two women entered a convenience store in the town and caused a distraction within the store by separating and choosing several items during a 15-20 minute period.

During this time, one man - wearing a blue two tone body warmer - and a woman, wearing a dark headscarf and long dark shawl exited the store and entered the adjacent flat door leading upstairs above the shop to the owner’s flat.

They then forced their way in and searched the premises over 10 minutes, resulting in them removing several thousand pounds in used notes and more than £20,000 worth of jewellery which was kept in a jewellery box in the master bedroom.

Those remaining in the store then left and all four are thought to have headed off in a gold Chrysler Voyager which was later found abandoned in the early hours of Tuesday, November 4, in the Manchester area.

Anyone who can identify the suspects should contact DC Tony Kent or DC Michael Smith on 01325-742412.