Diamond earringsGAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE have released pictures of a selection of the items, totalling about £400,000, stolen during the armed raid at an auctioneer in Corsham last month.

The robbery happened at 8am on Tuesday July 19 at Gardiner Houlgate Auctioneers in the Leafield Trading Estate.

Members of staff arrived at work only to have a shotgun pointed at them and be tied up by the two men.

The stolen items included a large number of vintage pocket watches, made by companies such as Longines and Paul Ditishiem.

A number of wristwatches were also stolen, including a diamond-covered Patek, Philippe & Co watch, which often retails between £10,000 and £30,000.

More modern watches, such as an Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch, which was the first make to be used on the moon and costs about £1,600 to buy, were also taken.

A large amount of jewellery was also stolen in the raid, including earrings, brooches and bracelets.

CCTV images of the masked gunmen holding up the auctioneer's staff were made public last week.

The two men were caught on tape lying in wait for the auction room staff to arrive.

They then burst into the main room, threatening the sales manager and the female receptionist, before tying them up.

Although no shots were fired, the two victims were shocked and traumatised, according to the police.

After the robbery, the masked raiders stole a black Ford Orion saloon, registration H208 KPD, belonging to the auctioneer's manager.

The Ford was later found abandoned in the car park of Neston Village Hall.

It is thought that the men intended to take the CCTV footage with them, but forgot.

Officers, the police helicopter and dog handlers were all deployed in a bid to trace the offenders, but nobody was found.

Road checks were carried out near the trading estate last week and people were asked to complete a questionnaire in a bid to establish the exact sequence of events prior to the robbery.

Detective Sergeant Matt Jones, the officer leading the investigation, called the response from the public last week "extremely supportive and encouraging," saying it had established several new lines of inquiry.

Police are, however, now renewing their appeal for information and witnesses.

They would like to talk to anyone who was in the area of the Leafield Estate between 6am and 9am on Tuesday July 19.

They would also like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Neston Memorial Hall at the same time.

Anyone who has been offered large or exclusive items of jewellery should contact DC Alan Hardman on (01380) 735735.