Police are appealing for information after thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was stolen from a house in Broughton.

The incident happened sometime between Wednesday 31 May and Sunday 4 June at an address on Whittingham Lane whilst the elderly occupant was away.

Amongst the items taken were gold diamond rings, bracelets and necklaces alongside some costume jewellery. The haul was worth around £20,000.

PCSO David Reid from Preston Police said: “We believe that the house was targeted whilst the woman was away and the offenders have gone in for the jewellery in particular as no other items were taken. To think that someone would deliberately do this to an elderly woman is utterly despicable.

“These pieces of jewellery are highly sentimental to the owner and so we would love to be able to reunite her with her things which she has collected over many years.

“Please take a look at what was taken and if you have seen it, perhaps you have been offered it for sale, please come forward and speak to us.

Anyone with information call us on 01772 863390 quoting incident reference 1438 of 4th June.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.