DRUGS with a street value of more than £250,000 were recovered by police in a house raid.

The swoop, by Durham Police across the force boundary in Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, in the neighbouring Northumbria area, also netted £13,000 in cash and a quantity of jewellery worth several thousand pounds.

Two men arrested in the operation, on Wednesday evening, were last night helping with inquiries.

Officers armed with a search warrant forced the front door of the house in Shields Place, at the foot of Houghton Cut, at about 8pm.

During the detailed search they recovered substances thought to be heroin and cocaine, plus the cash and jewellery found hidden at the premises.

Substantial amounts of white powder, believed to be heroin, plus a block of other material, thought to be cocaine, have been sent for analysis at forensic science laboratories.

Officers involved in the raid are also trying to identify the source of the jewellery recovered from the house.

They have appealed to anyone who may be the rightful owner, or who knows who the distinctive items may belong to, to come forward with information.

Among the gems is a striking star-shaped white diamond brooch and a small number of rings, studded with white stones, again thought to be diamonds.

The items were put on show for the media yesterday in the hope it may lead to them being reunited with the owner.

Two men, one in his mid-fifties and another in his mid-thirties, were arrested at the house on suspicion of being involved in the supply of drugs.

They were taken to the city police office, in New Elvet, Durham, where they were being questioned last night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Durham City Police office, on 0191-386 4222.