TWO Minehead businesses are counting the cost of audacious raids which took place within days of each other.

Jewellery shop Hidden Treasures and the Yorkshire Building Society – both based in The Avenue – were targeted by robbers in break-ins that happened while the premises were closed.

One or more offenders are believed to have forced their way into Hidden Treasures sometime between 2pm on Easter Monday and 10.30am on Wednesday the same week.

They escaped with a significant haul of rings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches and earrings.

Some of the stolen jewellery bore the brand names of 'Indulgence' and 'Muddeman', which would be marked on the boxes and labels.

And overnight on the same Wednesday, the Yorkshire Building Society was broken into, with the thieves removing the safe, which was later found abandoned in a car park at the back of the premises.

However, they are believed to have caused some damage, they escaped with just £100 of petty cash from a cash box.

A spokesman for the Avon and Somerset police said officers had been called to the Yorkshire Building Society at about 7.15 am last Thursday.

"Our enquiries are continuing and we are keen to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or may have information," said a spokesman.

Jane Taylor-Davies, national agency manager at Yorkshire Building Society said: "We can confirm a robbery took place overnight at our Minehead agency, LFS and Partners Ltd on April 8.

"Together with the proprietor at LFS and Partners we will continue to work with Avon and Somerset police to support their investigation."

The raid forced the closure of the agency for almost a week while repairs were carried out but it was due to reopen for business on Wednesday this week.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Minehead police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting crime reference 35732/15.

And anyone who saw anything suspicious or has information on the break-in at Hidden Treasures should also call Minehead police on the 101 number and ask for PC Alison Pentland, quoting crime reference 35265/15.

Alternatively, information on either incident can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.