An opportunist thief took jewellery worth £1,000 from an elderly woman's home.

The culprit is believed to have taken five items after climbing through an open back bedroom window at a property in Kent Avenue, Minster.

The jewellery belonged to 93-year-old Wyn Sykes.

The theft was only discovered when her cleaner arrived for work at about 9.15am on September 20 and noticed ornaments had been moved from the window sill and placed on the outside garden table.

Mrs Sykes said: "I've no idea what time it happened, I didn't even know until my cleaner said about the ornaments being outside. At first I thought I was going mad.

"They took a chain and some other bits."

It's believed the break-in may have happened the previous evening.

Mrs Sykes's next door neighbour, Edna Illingworth, 91, discovered her bedroom window was open and one of her bedside draws had been rummaged through at about 10pm but nothing was taken.

Hours earlier she answered the door to two boys who claimed to be collecting money for the Isle of Sheppey Academy sports fund.

They were dressed in uniform.

It has since transpired the collection was not organised by the school.

Police confirmed they spoke to the pupils about the burglaries but have ruled them out of their inquiries.

They were also given a ticking off by officers and staff at the academy about collecting money under false pretences.

It's believed they raised several pounds by knocking on people's doors and asking for donations.

The money will be donated to Help the Aged.

Principal David Day said: "The academy has responded robustly to this breach of discipline. I am determined to have a no-nonsense approach.

"As a result the boys involved have been issued with a fixed-term exclusion, a police officer has given a good old fashioned stern lecture, and announcements have been made in assembly about the incident.

"The bottom line is an Isle of Sheppey Academy student is expected to know the difference between right and wrong."

• Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sittingbourne police station on 01795 584165 quoting crime reference CY/14844/11 and CY/14843/11