FASHION-conscious women in south Worcestershire have been warned by the police not to be tempted to buy designer dresses stolen from a Malvern shop.

The warning follows the theft of approximately 150 items - created by such leading names as Betty Berkley, Jerry Webber, Tuzzi, Dina Moda, Bianca and Gina B.

They were stolen from Studio Studio in Abbey Road, Malvern at about 1.50am on Tuesday, February 1.

Police say that the items - valued at around £1,500 in a "closing down" sale and including trousers, jackets, shirts and other items - could be sold on in a variety of ways, including car boot sales.

"If south Worcestershire's female bargain-hunters do spot any of these items, we hope they'll put their good sense ahead of their dress-sense and report their find to us," said a police spokesman.

"There was also a considerable amount of noise, with the alarm going off, so it is highly likely passers-by may have seen one or more people behaving suspiciously," added the spokesman.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the robbery is linked to the theft of a substantial amount of cigarettes from Bicknell's Garage, Pickersleigh Road, Malvern at approximately 2.55am on the same day.