THIEVES have broken into the York home of a 71-year-old woman and taken jewellery of considerable sentimental value, police said.

The woman's home in Huntington Road was burgled between 4pm and 11pm on Thursday, when the jewellery was taken along with a number of unopened Christmas presents.

Police are appealing to anyone who has any information about the break-in or has been offered the jewellery for sale to contact them.

The stolen jewellery includes gold chains, a gold heart decorated with rubies, a silver fish on a chain, a 2-inch solid silver bar, opal earrings and an opal necklace and a large silver ring decorated with a number of stones.

Det Con Simon Fennel, who is investigating the burglary, said: “The victim was very shaken up by this intrusion into her home and the theft of these very sentimental items.

“I’m urging anyone who either saw any suspicious people or activity in Huntington Road on the night in question or has any other information, to contact us urgently, especially if you have been offered any of these items for sale in the last few days.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for York CID. Alternatively, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111