FOR MORE than 50 years he's acted as ambassador for the Fylde coast - both as a football hero and through his tireless work for charity.

But now Blackpool sporting legend and former Seasider - Jimmy Armfield, 68 - is hitting the headlines for a different after being thieves targeted his South Shore home.

The burglary occurred after the offender entered the Manchester-born defender's home on Stony Hill Avenue, Blackpool, between 6pm and 9pm on Sunday, July 18.

A number of items of jewellery were taken including a distinctive charm-style bracelet featuring a number of light brown and cream cameo heads described by the Armfields as "inexpensive but of great sentimental value".

Police also want to trace a man caught on CCTV cameras entering a Blackpool town centre nightspot where it is believed he tried to use a credit card also stolen during the burglary.

A Blackpool police spokesman said: "Many people on the Fylde coast will be especially concerned about this burglary as it involves one of the areas best-loved personalities.

"At this stage we are very interested in speaking with the individual caught on camera who, we believe, used the credit card not long after the burglary took place. We would ask anybody with any information about this person or the stolen jewellery should contact us immediately."

A life-long supporter of Blackpool Football Club, Jimmy Armfield first walked through the gates of Bloomfield Road as a 17-year-old apprentice in 1952.

He went on to be capped for the England squad 43 times, earned the title of 'best right back in the world' during the 1962 World Cup in Chile and managed both Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United.

But it is his unswerving dedication to his beloved Blackpool that has won him a place in the affections of the town - rivalled only by his former mentor, Sir Stanley Matthews.

The man pictured in the CCTV footage is described as aged 40 to 50 years, of medium height and stocky build, with cropped greying hair, a moustache and a number of tattoos along his right arm.

He was wearing a yellow, collared polo shirt with a pendant around his neck.

Anybody with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Blackpool police on 01253 293933 quoting crime ref: AM5676.