Two men have been arrested after an 80-year-old's valuable coins were stolen.

Police said the Swanmore men, 22 and 25, were held after the pensioner's coins were taken from his home on two occasions.

The man had been selling them online and a potential buyer visited his Hampshire home to view them on May 23.

But when the victim turned his back to get more coins from a safe, the prospective purchaser picked up ten coins and fled.

Then a month later the victim was contacted online by someone using a different name, arranging to meet him in a pub to look at coins on June 26.

The buyer did not show up - and the man's home had been burgled while he was out, with the remaining coins taken from his safe.

Hampshire police have released images of the coins as part of their investigation.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "Do you recognise these coins? Have you been offered them for sale?

"Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have seen these coins for sale in the area. If you think you can help, please contact us as soon as possible online or on 101 quoting 44240269862."

The arrested men were held on suspicion of burgling the victim's home in Ecton Lane, Portsmouth, and theft but have been bailed until October 11 and 13.