Friday, 19 November, 1999, 21:53 GMT
EastEnders star robbed at home

Wendy Richard: A stalwart of Albert Square since 1985

Burglars have stolen more than �5,000 of jewellery from the London home of EastEnders actress Wendy Richard.

She disturbed the raiders when she returned to her home in Marylebone on Wednesday night after filming.

They fled with cash and jewellery, including rings she wore while playing Miss Brahms in the 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served?

Sentimental value

She told London's Evening Standard newspaper: "A lot of what was taken has enormous sentimental value to me."

Ms Richard is one of the UK's most well-known television actresses, making her name in Are You Being Served? for 13 years from 1972.

She has played housewife Pauline Fowler in EastEnders since the show's launch in 1985