Cilla issues jewellery photos

Cilla Black lost this sapphire and diamond ring and earrings

Photographs of Cilla Black adorned in diamonds, sapphires and emeralds have been handed over to officers searching for robbers who raided her home.

Black lost an estimated £1m worth of jewellery and cash in the raid on Saturday night, during which her 22-year-old son Jack was attacked with a crowbar, handcuffed and threatened with kidnapping.

She said she was devastated about the incident at her home in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and the loss of "irreplaceable" jewels given to her by her late husband Bobby, as well as her mother's wedding rings.

Thames Valley Police have also issued descriptions of the men involved in the incident, based on Jack's recollection of the robbery.

The photographs - one of which includes her husband Bobby - feature six items, including rings, earrings and pendants, are featured in the images.

Balaclavas

The items on view include a pear-shaped diamond solitaire pendant, a Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring and earrings (pictured), and a Brazilian emerald and diamond ring, pendant and earrings set.

An 18-carat diamond white gold watch given to Black by Beatles manager Brian Epstein - to commemorate her first number one single - was also taken.

Police said the intruders were wearing identical black clothes, which looked like shell suits with a stripe down the arms and legs, and black woollen balaclavas.

Jewellery with Brazilian emeralds and diamonds was also stolen

The ringleader seemed to be dark-skinned, possibly of Middle East or Mediterranean origin, with a slight Arabic accent.

He was about 6ft, with a muscular build and aged possibly in his thirties. His balaclava had white borders around the eyes.

The other two men were probably white, in their twenties and about 5ft 10ins with a stocky build, police said.

One of the men had a slight Liverpudlian accent, while the other was believed to have had either an Irish or Liverpudlian accent.

'Grateful'

The men broke into the house at about midnight on Saturday, while Jack was alone watching TV in his bedroom.

He tried to shut his bedroom door, but they forced it open and attacked him with a crowbar.

A hunting knife was held to his throat and the men threatened to kill him unless they were shown where his mother's jewellery and valuables were secured.

They then threatened to put him in the boot of their car and kidnap him, but after reasoning with them, they left him tied to a radiator.

Black cut short a holiday and returned home to Denham on Monday afternoon.

In statement she said: "I am just so grateful he is alive and slowly coming to terms with what has happened."