A cat flap, a bag of homework and a pair of leather shorts are among the more unusual items taken from cars by thieves, according to records from one insurance company.

Admiral Insurance sifted through car insurance claims and lists of belongings taken during vehicle break-ins and uncovered the "unusual" thefts.

CDs were the most common items swiped from vehicles, according to the firm, with sat nav and mp3 systems following close behind.

Sue Longthorn, managing director of the company, said: "It may be stating the obvious, but leave nothing on show in an unattended car. Our research shows car thieves will steal anything."

Advice from the firm on car security includes taking sat nav systems out of vehicles and removing any suction marks left on the windscreen.

London and the Midlands were recently named as the areas in which cars are most likely to be stolen, with swiftcover.com saying Ford Fiestas and Volkswagen Golfs are among models most commonly taken.