Five men including two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the haul of stolen items including handguns and machetes found dumped in a pond.

The haul was first uncovered by a water-loving dog who pulled a jacket and a pair of cufflinks from the pond in Whitebeam Wood in Durrington in July.

Sussex Police's specialist search unit eventually hauled up of more than 850 items from the pond’s depths over two days of diving.

Now officers have arrested and questioned four men aged 26, 24, 20 and 18 and a 17-year-old boy over the burglaries.

The five have been released on bail until Thursday.

Detectives believe that the horde of items were stolen in the last 18 months and they could have been dumped in the pond after thieves failed to sell them on.

Among the items brought out from the pond, police found hand guns, a machete and knives as well as less life-threatening items such as necklaces, brooches, rings and trinkets.

The recovered items have been cleaned and examined and officers have posted pictures of them online in case victims can identify their possessions.

Detectives have been able to follow up leads from members of the public to link items from the pond to six burglaries committed in West Sussex over the last 14 months and return the possessions to their owners.

Items found in the pond were taken during break-ins at homes in Church Road, Worthing, in July 2013, in Upper West Drive, Ferring, in October 2013, in The Thatchway, Angmering, in November as well as in Horsemere Green Lane, Climping, in May this year and in Summerdown Close and Longlands, Worthing, in June.

Detective Constable Emma Fields said: "We believe most of the items in the pond were stolen in the last 18 months or so before being dumped there, possibly because the burglars could not sell them.

"Most of the victims who we have been able to return items to have been retired and the jewellery such as watches, necklaces and rings that we have been able to give them back had great sentimental value.

"In some cases they were 21st birthday presents, items they were given by their parents or family heirlooms.

"We are still very keen to reunite the remaining property with its owners so I would urge anyone who has been burgled over the last 18 months or so to visit the website to see if they can spot their items."

To see if your stolen items has been recovered from the pond visit property.sussex.police.uk/view.asp?folder=OperationDelivery