A WOMAN who had valuable family heirlooms stolen from her home has appealed to others to be more vigilant.

A WOMAN who had valuable family heirlooms stolen from her home has appealed to others to be more vigilant.

Several pieces of jewellery were taken from a home in Church Road in Otley on December 13 between 2pm and 2.15pm while the owners were out.

The victim, who asked not to be named, said she had inherited the jewellery from her mother and had planned on passing the pieces on to her daughter.

Among the items taken was a rare ring, with an oval stone of Alexandrite, a very unusual stone that appears blue-grey in daylight and red like a ruby under artificial light, set with seed pearls. Since the theft, the owner has discovered it would be worth about �10,000.

The owner said: “You can't wallow in it, I am not going to get these items back unless a miracle happens, but I want to warn other people, do not be complacent.”

She warned people to record pictures of jewellery and not to keep all jewellery in one place.

Also taken were gold and platinum wedding rings, gold knot earrings, a white gold antique diamond bar brooch, a pear shaped diamond on a gold chain, a diamond and pearl antique ring and several rings with sapphires and diamonds.

Suffolk police say the burglar was white, in his mid to late 30s, around 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall and of proportionate build, with distinctive neat, spiky light-coloured hair in a tall crew cut design. He was wearing a charcoal coloured coat and dark trousers.

Anyone with any information should to contact Dc Summers at Woodbridge CID on 01473 613500.