A REWARD is being offered for the arrest of would-be thieves who smashed a valuable statue at a country house.

They struck at Norton Conyers, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, last Wednesday, and tried to remove a sandstone lion from outside the gates to the estate.

The statue was more than 300 years old and matched a sandstone eagle on the other side of the gates.

It had been at the house since 1839 and was destroyed when thieves tried to wrench it from its stand, leaving owner Sir James Graham devastated.

He said: "The statues were supposed to be seen as a pair together, but it is damaged beyond repair so that the effect has been lost.

"A part of our country's intrinsic heritage has been irreparably ruined."

Sir James believes the thieves used a vehicle with a hydraulic arm attached to it in an attempt to force the statue free.

He had heard reports that a gang of professional antiques thieves were targeting statues and similar objects.

He is offering a cash reward to anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the thieves.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ripon police on (01765) 602222.