It had to be a slim chance - finding that well-worn engagement ring or much-loved painting that had been in the family for years.

Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles with some of the stolen pieces in the Aladdin's Cave at the National Railway Museum

But hundreds of homeowners who had been burgled made the journey to the National Railway Museum during a wet March weekend in the hope that they might just find items they had treasured for years.

A steady stream of well-dressed visitors quietly filed past glass cabinets loaded with diamond jewellery and gold watches, original paintings leaning on chairs, garden statues lined up against the wall and rows of clocks sitting on tables.

Most were disappointed but organisers pronounced the Aladdin's Cave event a success after around 1,000 visitors came through the doors.

Organised by North Yorkshire Police, it was the first to be held in York and provided an eye-opener into the sort of valuable goods that are targeted by professional criminals.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, who brought along cases of jewellery and watches, had travelled the furthest to the event and at the end of the weekend seemed to have had most luck in finding owners.

Dave Hobart said they had received two "tentative" identifications which would now have to be checked out.

"We find a lot of stolen property comes to London so criminals can get a better price for it," he said.

Exhibition organiser DC Jacqui Williamson said North Yorkshire Police had had inquiries about a cherub statue which they were now checking out.

Many visitors had benefited from advice from firms who also had stands at the exhibition, specialising in marking antique property and tracing it.

DC Williamson said it was hoped to make the exhibition an annual event, with a similar one held every year in the south of England as well.

TV antiques expert Eric Knowles, who was taking part in a special episode of Antiques Roadshow being filmed at the event, was on hand with his advice too.

"People visiting have been very philosophical and very matter-of-fact about it," he said.

"It is encouraging that they have made the effort to come and encouraging to see the police making the effort to put the exhibition on."

Solicitor Neil Adamson, from Harrogate, said he and his wife had been burgled one evening three years ago when they were both in the house.

Around 300 items went missing, including silverware, paintings, engagement and eternity rings and a set of decanters inherited from his father.

He said: "It's the sentimental value that is upsetting. I think this is brilliant - a great idea."

Jennifer Mackie, a housewife from Whixley, near Boroughbridge, said she had been burgled seven years ago and was looking for her jewellery.

"It's been worth coming, but I think with the databases there are about the victims of burglaries that people could have been told about this display rather than just hearing about it by chance."

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