BURGLARS escaped with a safe believed to contain as much as £20,000 cash from an antiques centre in Ashburton.

Police, who confirmed a 'substantial' sum was snatched, are appealing for witnesses after thieves broke in through the back of East Street Antiques at night.

They struck on January 21 after 5pm. The alarm was raised the next day at 9.30am.

So far no witnesses have come forward.

The offenders are thought to have lugged the 3ft square old iron safe to a waiting vehicle.