A wooden crocodile and gold jewellery were stolen by burglars from a house as the residents watched TV downstairs.

Police are hunting for the theives after the break-in on Friday night.

But the owners were in the property and watching TV downstairs when burglars struck at the house in Folkestone.

The large ornament was taken from a handbag which also contained cash, police said.

The raid on an upstairs bedroom came as the resident and a friend were watching television at the house in Castle Mews, near the Civic Centre in Castle Hill Avenue.

Several items of gold jewellery were swiped in the brazen raid including a ring with an amethyst stone, a ring with red garnet stones, a ring set with an opal stone and a ring with a circle of emeralds.

The final piece taken was a gold and opal bracelet.

A police spokesman said: "The burglar also stole a handbag and a purse containing a small amount of cash, a large wooden vase and a large wooden crocodile ornament.

"Anyone who has information about the burglary or who saw any suspicious activity in the area at the relevant times is asked to phone Kent Police."

Contact police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number ZY/58715/17.