A COUNCILLOR offered a substantial cash reward for the return of two prized pieces of jewellery snatched when thieves ransacked his home.

The thieves broke into Councillor Rendall Allen's home in Tockholes Road, Darwen, by forcing a rear window.

Cllr Allen, a jeweller with a shop in Market Street, Darwen, said the pieces were irreplaceable.

He said: "One is a unique piece made especially for me.

"It is in the shape of a cross and has four pearls and two diamonds set in yellow and white gold. That is worth about £200.

"The other piece, which is of great sentimental value and is my wife Mary's, is worth about £50 and is a 1953 Coronation medal made from 18-carat yellow gold with the Queen's head in relief on it in white gold, the whole thing on a nine-carat gold chain."

Cllr Allen, who was a liberal member of Blackburn Borough Council, said every room had been ransacked.

He said: "It was terrible to see it.

"We were, however, very fortunate that those responsible had not damaged the furniture or decor, but every drawer had been methodically gone through and things strewn around."