A coastal town mayor has appealed to the public for help following a burglary that saw historical mayoral chains being stolen.

Southwold town mayor, Melanie Tucker, has encouraged anyone with any information to come forward following a burglary at Southwold Town Hall.

The incident is believed to have happened between Friday (December 2) and early Monday morning and resulted in the loss of valuable items including the mayoral chains, the deputy mayoral chains and the mayor's consort's chains.

Cllr Tucker said: 'Hundreds of years of Southwold's history have been stolen. The chains are used in town ceremonies and are part of the essence of the town and we would like them back.

'If anybody has any information, however apparently insignificant, please get in touch with the town clerk.'

During the incident downstairs and upstairs windows in the town hall were broken, by those responsible, to gain entrance to the town hall.

A spokesman from Suffolk Constabulary said: 'Officers are investigating the theft of several valuable civic chains, taken from the Town Hall in Southwold.

'The suspects forced entry via the rear of the building and made an untidy search, before damaging a key cabinet and removing three civic chains.'

If you have any information regarding this incident contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting the reference 69977/16.

Or contact Southwold Town Council on 01502 722576.