Antique diamond jewellery of unknown value was taken during the robbery at Picketts and Pursers in Rams Walk shortly after 4.30pm last Thursday. Goliath William Thompson, of Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, Berkshire, was charged with robbery and on Monday appeared before Basingstoke magistrates.

Magistrates were told Thompson was on bail for other offences and so refused him bail and remanded him in custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on February 12. A 46-year-old woman from Berkshire was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery. She is due to report back to Hampshire Constabulary on police bail in March.

Meanwhile, police have thanked shoppers and other residents for their time and assistance after the robbery which saw four men wearing masks and balaclavas enter the shop. Officers investigating the robbery, and the ensuing manhunt which saw a police car overturned after a collision, seek information.

Detectives want to know if a green Renault Laguna, registration P525 OAB, was seen in Petersfield in the four days before the robbery, or if a blue Jeep Cherokee, S61X RJ, and a silver Peugeot 406, YB51 ZXU, have been seen in or around the town.