ELDERLY residents had their home ransacked by burglars who stole jewellery worth £20,000.

Detectives in Southend are appealing for information after a house in Poynings Avenue, Southend, was broken into and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery stolen.

The elderly owners discovered their home had been ransacked and jewellery and other items worth in the region of £20,000 had been taken.

A man was seen acting suspiciously in the area at the time. He is described as white, in his mid-20s, with black wavey hair, of stocky build and approximately 6ft in height. He was seen to be walking with a limp and wearing a light blue top, black trousers and black trainers.

Dc Andy Copley of Southend CID said: "The jewellery that was stolen was of immense sentimental value to the family and they are devastated. I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact us.”

The break in happened sometime between 12.15pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, July 19.

Anyone with information about the burglary or if anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area can call DC Andy Copley on Essex Police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously with information on 0800 555 111.