Thieves take £5,000 worth of jewellery from Aston-on-Clun house (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Thieves take £5,000 worth of jewellery from Aston-on-Clun house

10:05am Monday 23rd April 2012 in Ludlow

ANTIQUE jewellery worth more than £5,000 was stolen by burglars who broke into a south Shropshire home while the owners were on holiday.

Rings, earrings, a necklace, bracelet and a gold Dunhill cigarette lighter were among items stolen from the house in Aston-on-Clun, near Craven Arms.

Burglars forced the French windows and stole the items from a bedroom.

PC Lyndsey Howells, said police are appealing for witnesses and information about the distinctive jewellery. The burglary happened between last Thursday, April 12 and 2pm on Monday, April 16.

"The victims are understandably very upset as the items taken are of huge sentimental value, many of them being family heirlooms,” she said.

One piece is a five stone 18ct gold ring hallmarked Chester 1896 and valued at £2,000. It is set with three old cut diamonds, interspaced with two rubies. Diamond and ruby ring Also taken was a 9ct gold charm bracelet with round hollow links fitted with a padlock and safety chain with a 1902 Birmingham hallmark, is also missing. Every other link is engraved in scroll work.

The haul also included a pair of yellow and white gold earrings in the shape of daffodils in a scroll, a pair of pearl earrings with a sapphire on each, a two-inch high silver locket with a swirl on the front and frill edging, a gold ring made during the First World War with a diamond-shaped topaz stone, a Victorian gold ring with a pale oval sapphire surrounded by five smaller diamonds, a gold necklace with a diamond-shape jade stone and a gold Dunhill lighter with Dunhill engraved at the base.

"I urge anyone with information concerning its whereabouts, to contact me," added PC Howells.

Information can also be given to the anonymous Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111, for which a reward may be paid.