ANTIQUES, music and collectables dealers are being urged to help police investigating the theft of a 19th Century miniature violin.

The instrument was stolen from a house in Hovingham, North Yorkshire in June 2013 and police believe it could have changed hands a number of times.

The family heirloom, which is up to 2ft in length and 10ins wide, has distinctive detail including a carved face where the fingerboard meets the body.

Police, who declined to reveal the instrument's value, are appealing to anyone who may have seen the violin, or who has been offered it for sale to call 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.