A ring worth £5,000 has been stolen from a jewellery store in Ampthill after quick fingered thieves conned a shop assistant.

Two men entered Richardson's Jewelllers in Church Street, Ampthill, on Friday, January 8, at 4.30pm and asked the female shop assistant to view various items of jewellery including the store's most expensive ring.

The pair agreed to purchase the ring, asked the woman to wrap it and paid a £100 deposit, saying they would collect the item the following morning.

The men then left the jewellers and headed towards the Waitrose car park. The shop assistant then realised the ring had been removed from the box and the shop manager chased after the men and saw them getting into a dark blue Ford Cougar in Waitrose car park.

As he approached the car the offenders drove off heading towards Bedford. The manager was slightly injured as the offenders drove away.

One of the offenders was of Asian appearance, between 20 to 25 years old, 5ft 6ins tall, with a stocky build and dark hair. He wore a white shirt and a dark leather jacket.

The second was of Asian appearance, between 20 to 25 years old, 5ft 7ins tall, with a slim build and dark hair. He wore a dark grey zipper cardigan with a stripe across the body and blue jeans.

The ring is an 18-carat yellow gold solitaire, with a three quarter carat diamond set in a six claw platinum head.

PC Neil Coles said: "I believe these men were seen close to a Flitwick jewellers before visiting the Ampthill area. I would also urge anyone who saw these two men acting suspiciously in Flitwick or Ampthill prior to the theft to contact the police.

"These potential witnesses may not of been aware of the theft, but they may hold information which could help this investigation."

Anyone with information relating to the theft, or who has been offered a ring matching the description, can contact PC Neil Coles on 01234 842607.