A widower is distraught after the wedding and engagement rings belonging to a late wife were stolen in a burglary.

Thieves broke in through the back of a house close to Ardley Hill Academy in Lowther Road, Dunstable, and stole men’s and women’s jewellery as well as a black leather ‘Bagley’ wallet which contained bank cards and cash.

One of the items is a distinctive gold ring which has a gold sunflower on it.

Other items include wedding rings, an engagement ring, an eternity ring and a white gold necklace with a gold ingot pendant containing Egyptian symbols.

The jewellery stolen during the raid, which happened between 2.30-3.30pm on Monday while the victim was out of the house, is of particular sentimental value to the man as it belonged to his wife who died ten years ago.

PC Jenny Buckley who is investigating the burglary, said: “There is, of course, monetary value to the goods taken but the sentimental value that these items hold to the victim are absolutely priceless and we want to reunite him with them as soon as possible.

“We would really like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us.

“Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”

 If you have information relating to this incident, contact PC Buckley, in confidence, on the non-emergency number 101.