POLICE are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole an estimated £20,000 haul of collectable toy soldiers and a historic altar table in two separate raids.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after thieves stole an estimated £20,000 haul of collectable toy soldiers and a historic altar table in two separate raids.

Thieves broke into a barn in George Street, Hintlesham, some time between 10pm on April 29 and 7am yesterday.

Among the items taken were power tools, golfing equipment and a collection of war games figures. It is thought that thousands of these figures were stolen.

The metal figures are been 15mm and 25mm tall and among them are figures of the Napoleonic French, British and Russian Armies, the American Civil War and the Indian Mutiny.

The collection has an estimated value of about £20,000.

The second burglary was at St Nicholas Church, George Street, between 8am and 11.45am, yesterday.

A 15th century mini oak altar table, measuring 5ft 3ins long and 2ft 6ins high and worth about £10,000, was also taken.

Hadleigh Police officers investigating the burglaries believe that because there is no vehicular access to the church it is likely there was more than one offender and a getaway vehicle was probably parked on the A1071.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously at the times of the thefts and anyone who has been offered the war games figures or oak altar.

Calls should be made to Pc Amy Baker at Hadleigh Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.