POLICE are hunting thieves who made off with two historically important rings from Somerset County Museum, in Taunton.

The pieces of jewellery were taken from a glass cabinet between 3pm on Monday of last week and 2pm the following day.

The rings are hundreds of years old and individual in their design and make up.

Police say they want to speak to any jewellers or members of the punlib who may have been offered the rings for sale.

The first one was a gold finger ring with an engraved gem.

It has a slender hoop swelling to a slightly raised bezel encircled with a line of beading between grooves.

The setting is circular, about 10mm in diameter and slightly damaged.

The setting is a carnelian of a deep orange colour, extremely finely engraved, with four oxen in two rows of two, facing left.

The second was a medieval gold finger ring consisting of a slender hoop that gradually widens, extending into a twin bezel set with a turquoise and a garnet.

At the point where the bezel construction begins, the shoulders of the ring are decorated with two lozenges on each side containing crosses.

It dates from the late 13th or early 14th Century.

Anyone who has information about the theft or thinks they have been offered the rings for sale should call PC Stephen Linton at Taunton Police Station on 0845-4567000.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.