A LOCAL jeweller was raided on Sunday night in what has been described as an 'old fashioned heist'.

And just like in the old movies thieves broke into the vacant Britannia Inn building in Frogmore Street and managed to drill their way through the wall dividing the two properties giving them access into Howells jewellers next door.

Ann Howells, who has been working in the family shop for over 50 years described the incident when she arrived for work on Monday morning She said: "When I arrived I thought it strange that a curtain that normally gives me enough light to navigate my way through the building had been drawn.

"So in complete darkness I walked through the workshop, only to be greeted by a great draft blowing at me as I passed the kitchen area. When I turned the light on I was horrified to see a hole the size of a kitchen sink bowl staring back at me.

"The intruder obviously crawled through the space that had been created to find them inside this building, but as soon as they entered the shop itself the alarms went off frightening who ever had entered.

"The thief was unable to open the main safe, but managed to steal two watches and a number of tankards from the display stand, but four trophies that had been bagged up was left behind."

Local police carried out a forensic crime scene investigation on the pub and jewellery shop on Monday, after which local builders were called in to rebuild and secure the wall that had been damaged in the raid.

Mrs Howells who opened up for business again on Tuesday morning said: "The whole incident is just like in the movies with the thieves breaking in to steal a safe from a bank. But for me its a ridiculous situation, it's not a farce, it's reality.

"The whole situation has been a nightmare and shaken me up badly, but everybody around me has been very supportive."

Anybody who heard the alarm ringing on Sunday night and saw anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact the police by telephoning 101 or crimestoppers on 0800 555111.