BURGLARS have taken family heirlooms in a daytime raid on a secluded house.

The two men struck at the home of a 37-year-old woman in Snows Green Road, Shotley Bridge, near Consett, between 2pm and 3pm on Tuesday.

They stole silver and china worth about £3,000. The haul included antique jewellery given to the woman by her grandmother, along with a collection of china made by tea merchants Ringtons.

Detective Constable Paul Tallentire, of Derwentside CID, said: "This is a very unusual raid and the items taken were quite distinctive. The owner is obviously very distressed, as some of the items stolen were gifts from her grandmother.

"We are looking at the possibility that the offenders specifically targeted this property and knew roughly what they were after."

The burglars broke in through the back door, then kicked in the kitchen door to gain access to the rest of the house.

They took only the jewellery and collectables and left high-value items such as electrical goods.

Four similar raids have been carried out in the Hexham area of Northumberland this week and police believe they could be linked.

The burglars were spotted leaving Shotley Bridge.

The first is described as white, aged 24 to 26, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, with dark, possibly wavy hair and a thin moustache. He was wearing a black and white striped top. His accomplice had fair hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett police on (01207) 504204.