Thieves have raided a Sheringham jewellery shop after stealing the keys from the home of the elderly owner.A haul including gold rings was taken from the Wyndham Street shop of Rose Denis, who is in her 80s, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Thieves have raided a Sheringham jewellery shop after stealing the keys from the home of the elderly owner.

A haul including gold rings was taken from the Wyndham Street shop of Rose Denis, who is in her 80s, in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Nearby shopkeepers said Mrs Denis, widow of former local businessman and town council chairman Alfred 'Chic' Denis, lived for her business, which she had run in the town since 1965.

Mrs Denis, from Hong Kong, and her husband previously ran a shop selling Chinese goods and crafts in Elm Hill at Norwich. He later ran hotel and antiques businesses at Sheringham.

Police cars were parked outside the jewellery shop, near the Lobster pub, virtually all day as officers investigated the raid.

One nearby businessman said he only became aware of the break-in when the police turned up at 5am - because the thieves had let themselves in rather than broken in. Neighbours also said the same shop had been raided two years ago.

Anyone who may have noticed any suspicious people or vehicles in the Wyndham Street or Norfolk Road areas, or with any other information about the offence should contact Det Con Ian Whittaker at North Walsham CID on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.