POLICE are appealing for information about the theft of a large collection of jewellery from a house in Cemetery Road, Darwen.

The burglary happened between 8.30am last Monday and 4.45pm on Tuesday. Det Con Mussarat Khan said: "The missing jewellery is all very distinctive and there were things the owner had had since she was about five years old, so she's obviously very upset. All she's got left is what she was wearing at the time. A lot of it was custom-made, such as a gold buckle made into a brooch. She's been collecting jewellery for years."

Items included watches, diamond and sapphire rings, a wedding ring box prayer book, a hinged bangle with diamond setting, a ladies' silver necklace with amethyst and a gold Santa badge with diamond eyes and ruby mouth. Contact police on 01254 353843.