Two men tricked their way into a vulnerable pensioner's home to steal musical instruments worth thousands of pounds.

The men visited the 87-year-old woman in The Street, Clapham, a rural village in the Arun district, between Monday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 20.

They persuaded her to sell them her valuable cellos but then took the instruments without paying.

They took a French cello, a fine English cello, two cello bows made by Roy Collins and two cello cases. The items are worth more than £10,000 in total.

Sussex Police launched Operation Magpie to tackle burglary across the county.

Detective Constable Jamie Carruthers said: "The victim is a vulnerable pensioner and whoever visited her has taken advantage of that to steal her prized possessions.

"The cellos had been in her family for many years and we are very keen to track them down for her.

"We need to find anyone who might have seen two or more men acting suspiciously in the area.

"If you saw them, were visited by them or know someone who was, please contact us urgently."

Anyone with information should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1388 of 20/08, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.