TWO unique paintings valued at around �5000 have been stolen from a house in Hatfield Heath.

Detectives have called for information following the burglary which took place on Dunmow Road between 2pm on August 29 and 9am on August 30.

Crooks forced their way into the village property and made off with two paintings – a floral watercolour by Marion Broom, measuring 20inches by 18 inches, and a Muriel Barclay oil canvas painting, measuring 40inches by 30inches.

Investigating officer Dc Allen Long urged the public to assist the police with their inquires, largely because the paintings cannot be missed.

“These paintings are unique and distinctive,” he said.

“The Muriel Barclay oil canvas painting is particularly large, and if the burglars carried it away from the scene, then bystanders would almost certainly remember seeing someone carrying a sizeable painting in the Dunmow Road area of Hatfield Heath.

“I would ask anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour overnight on Sunday August 29 or during the morning of August 30, or who has seen either painting since they were stolen, to contact CID at Chelmsford on 0300 333 4444, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”