RAIDERS have stolen more than a dozen items of jewellery worth more than £1,000 during a burglary.

A police spokesman said a property in the Oakerside Park area of Peterlee, County Durham, was targeted between Sunday, October 2 and Tuesday, October 4.

In total 16 pieces of jewellery were taken including necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and earrings.

The item of most sentimental value is a 14ct gold bracelet, which was originally a watch chain dating from 1890. It was then adapted into two identical bracelets for the victim and her sister.

The stolen bracelet, which is thought to be irreplaceable in practical terms has every link in the chain hallmarked for a company called Chester Gold, which went out of business in 1934. The hallmark is three wheat sheaves and a spear

Detective Constable Sue Flannigan of Peterlee CID, said: “The total value of the items stolen exceeds £1,200.

"The burglary has caused considerable upset to the elderly victims and many of the items have great sentimental value, especially the 14ct gold bracelet.

"We are appealing for their return or any information regarding who may have been responsible for the break-in.”

Anyone with information should contact Durham Police on 101 with the the incident number 0168 of October 4.