Thieves stole irreplaceable heirlooms when they burgled a pensioner's home.

Among their haul was cash raised for the local church. They also took two engagement rings and a gold wedding ring belonging to the man's wife, who died in March last year.

Hugh Baddeley, 72, believes the burglars knew what they were looking for, as his television, hi fi and other electrical equipment all remained untouched.

Mr Baddeley, of Church Street, Rudgwick, near Horsham, said: "My wife had two engagement rings and a wedding ring. The other items stolen were a walnut veneer table, a carriage clock dated about 1900 which was given to me by a client when I retired, a kidney-shaped veneer tray and gold cufflinks.

"The rings were given to me when she died and I would have passed them on to her family.

"I cannot put a price on it because it is all inherited.

"It is just the fact they knew what they wanted."

The thieves also took £144 raised by villagers in aid of Holy Trinity Church and £55 of Mr Baddeley's own money.

Retired chartered accountant Mr Baddeley said: "The £144 taken was the money from the last garden sale. Normally every Sunday evening I would collect it and bank it on the Monday.

"This time the last Sunday was the day before the bank holiday Monday, so I couldn't bank it. Then I went to Devon and Cornwall for a few days. The money was well hidden in the house but when I got back I took the box out from its hiding place to sort the cash out.

"I had a meeting so I didn't have time to bank it and left it on the worktop. I have never done that before and it was very unlucky." Mr Baddeley said he feared the chances of seeing his possessions again were slim.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious is asked to contact Horsham CID on 0845 60 70 999.