JEWELLERY worth more than £2,000 was stolen from a trade show when it was put on display by retailers.

Expensive items were reported missing when cleaners turned up ahead of the Home and Gift show at the Harrogate International Centre on Sunday.

Two stalls selling silver marcasite jewellery, watches and fashion jewellery were both targeted by thieves, who fled with the goods sometime between the traders setting up on Saturday and the show opening on Sunday.

The theft from one stall totalled £2,000 alone, while it is thought only jewellery worth £50 was taken from a second.

Two traders reported thefts had been made from their stalls but it is believed up to six people might have been a victim of theft.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "Two people called to say they had items stolen from their stalls but there are suspicions six people had things stolen.

"It was reported to us on Sunday but the items are believed to have been stolen over night, between 9.30pm on Saturday and 8am the following day.

"It is now under investigation and if anyone has information they should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Home and Gift runs until Wednesday and features hundreds of stalls, including the Great Northern Retail Summit, set up within the Harrogate International Centre.

Cleere Scamell, director of the Home & Gift Show, said: “We regret to hear about the isolated incident and we are working closely both with HIC Yorksire and police in their investigation.

“We are absolutely committed to providing the very best possible service to our exhibitors and visitors during Home & Gift.”

Anyone providing information to police should quote reference 12150123545.