POLICE are appealing for information from Abergavenny shoppers in their inquiries into a £40,000 jewellery snatch by a man dressed as a construction worker.

The six foot tall man was last seen running up Lewis's Lane around 11.40am on Tuesday clutching a tray with six pairs of diamond stud earrings from Martins Jewellers in Frogmore Street.

Police want to find out where he went next or if he got in a car and are appealing for shoppers to come forward with any information.

"The pictures from the shop's CCTV aren't much use as he kept his head down," said Detective Constable Mike Gore, who is leading the investigation.

"We need members of the public to come forward with any information.

"It was a busy market day morning and somebody must have seen this man dressed as a builder running through the streets or maybe jumping into a car."

The robber was described as a "pretty distinctive" character by police who said he was dressed as a construction worker wearing a shiny-new white hard hat, pink-tinted sunglasses with pink frames, a lime green fluorescent sleeveless jacket and jeans. He was also tanned.

Senior sales assistant Tracy McGrath, who works part-time at the jewellers, was left shaken after the man snatched the earrings from her.

There was a similar theft three years ago at the jewellers when a thief made off with about £30,000 worth of goods.

An appeal in the Argus using CCTV pictures led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of a Cardiff man.

Anyone with information on the theft or anyone offered diamond stud earrings can contact police on Abergavenny 01873 852273.