A Chinese Earthquake survivor is devastated after a safe containing more than £50,000 worth of her jewellery was stolen from her Epsom home.

Burglars raided her home in Ashley Road sometime between July 3 and July 15, gaining access by forcing a rear door.

Each room was searched and the contents of drawers and wardrobes left strewn across the floor.

They then used a duvet to drag away a grey 70kg Chubb safe containing the jewellery, much of which had great sentimental value, along with important documents.

The woman, who did not wish to be identified, had been given a number of the items at significant points of her life which had huge sentimental value.

An emerald cut diamond ring, designed by the victim, set in a four-claw setting and mounted on a split-twist platinum shank, worth £7,000, was among the treasured possessions taken along with a pair of matching diamond rings worth £4,000 and a blue sapphire platinum ring worth £4,500.

Other items taken included a £3,800 fine gold wedding bangle, several 18ct gold chains and four 24-carat gold bracelets worth £2,600.

The woman, who survived the 1976 Tangshan earthquake said: "Everything has gone. The amount of sadness and distress I feel cannot be expressed. It is unbelievable.

"Not only were the items commercially very valuable but the sentimental value is even greater. Each item is a memory to me. My engagement ring and a ring given to me when my child was born have been stolen."

She also lost several designer handbags including three by Louis Vuitton, two Gucci bags, a Prada and a Fendi handbag.

James Dougherty, of Epsom CID, said: "The victim and her family are totally devastated by this invasion of their privacy and violation by those responsible for this burglary.

"The items stolen during this burglary are all of very high quality and are extremely valuable. Most items are hugely sentimental and the owners are desperate to see their safe return.

"I also am appealing to jewellers, pawn shops, auction houses and the man in the street, if you are offered beautiful, expensive diamond, gold and platinum jewellery or designer handbags at a bargain price, then think twice, as there is a chance it came from this burglary."

Anyone with information should contact DC Vicki Morris at Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference number EP/11/3157.