AN ELDERLY couple are desperate for the return of 254 items stolen by a burglar who then made off in their car.

Treasured belongings handed down through the generations were among the haul from the home in the Mitchell Hill area of Truro.

And the couple, who asked not to be identified, are offering a reward for information leading to their return.

Truro police said the raiders removed a floor-to-ceiling window to enter the home, found the couple's car keys and loaded the vehicle with everything from computer equipment and digital cameras to cameo brooches and silver cutlery.

The wife said: “We returned home to find the front door open and the house burgled.

“The intruders had entered by removing a very large window at the rear of the house.

“Some of the items taken have been handed down through generations and have a very strong sentimental value.”

DC Lynne James, the investigating officer, urged anyone to report suspect or burnt-out vehicles.

She added: “Somewhere there has to be a dumped suitcase and jewellery boxes, some of which are identifiable by the victims of this crime, and this is really what we're trying to appeal over because it's the uniqueness of the items that stands out.

“These things may even have been dumped somewhere, the burglar intending to return to them.

“The items are so unique and sentimental that this has had a fairly devastating affect on the couple.

“People should think about how upsetting this would be if it happened to their parents or grandparents.”

She added that some items were recovered from an address in Truro.

The break-in took place between 9.30am and 4pm on June 27.

The missing property includes an Olympus digital camera, a mobile phone, Targa laptop computer with accessories, Sony Camcorder, clocks, gold jewellery, brass animal figures, Coal Port figurines, Dalton vases, a collection of 50 brooches, a bag of gilt buttons and a considerable amount of silver cutlery in sets of six.

Anyone with any information should ring Truro police, quoting crime reference GT/08/1447.

● Mark Francis James, 30, of no fixed address, has appeared before Truro magistrates charged with nine theft and motoring offences and has been remanded in custody until a later date.