Police want to know if antique dealers have been offered a distinctive silver teapot worth £1,000 – stolen in a house raid.

Sometime between December 18 and December 20 a four-bedroom detached period house in Ashdown Forest was raided and £10,000 worth of silverware was stolen.

Items taken included silver cutlery, a silver such as a cake stand, ladle, teapot, earrings and rings, chocolates and wine.

Among the stolen property was a very distinctive teapot, which is believed to be worth more than £1,000.

It included the inscription: "To John Boxwell of Sarshill - This prize is presented for the best tier of drilled wheat August 1808 - By James Harvey, Esq."

Detectives are also still appealing to a mystery woman to come forward. The woman answered the door to a delivery firm driver, and signed in the name of the owners for a parcel – but the owners were away and do not know who she is.

Call Sussex Police on 101.