BURGLARS broke into a house in Coalpit Heath and searched every room while its elderly owner was out.

The 77-year-old resident was not in at the time of the burglary, on Oldlands Avenue, on Monday at 3.30pm.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called to a burglary at a house in Oldlands Avenue, Coalpit Heath on Monday at around 3.30pm.

“Someone broke in through a rear door and carried out an untidy search of all rooms. They stole a Rolex watch and an amount of antique china. The owner, a 77-year-old man, was out when it happened.

“Anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in the area is asked to call 101, quoting reference number 5216018385.”