THIEVES hurled a drain cover through the window of a jeweller’s shop and escaped with items valued at worth about £50,000 from the display unit.

Various diamond rings were among the haul stolen in the incident at M&M Jewellers in Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, at about 4.25pm on Monday.

Two men dressed in black and wearing black balaclavas, threw the drain cover and snatched the display.

Together with a third man they drove away in a new shape (05 and after registered) silver Vauxhall Astra.

Police have spoken to people who witnessed the raid but detectives are appealing for information, particularly about where the drain cover might have come from.

Det Sgt Shelley Chantler said: “Someone might have spotted these men removing a drain cover or acting suspiciously. They may have also seen the Vauxhall Astra car in the area.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives on 01227 868120.