16/03/2009 - Art works stolen from country house
Thieves have broken into a National Trust estate and stolen £18,000-worth of modern art.
The works were taken from gallery run by tenants who rent out the space at the Stourhead estate, near Warminster.
The raiders, who initially broke into the charity's education centre and caused hundreds of pounds in loss and damage, found their way into the gallery and stole more than 40 pieces.
Gallery owners Jane and John Parfitt are still trying to confirm how many items were stolen and are informing the affected artists of the loss.
Mr Parfitt said: "The pieces which have been taken are all very distinctive in style, so we expect the thieves will have tremendous difficulty in passing them on without leaving a trace.
"We're collecting together images of those paintings which have been stolen, or images of styles like them, so art-lovers, other galleries and dealers can be on the look out to help the police with their investigation."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Related links
|
