Police hunt burglar after antique tea set stolen from stately home

Police are hunting a burglar who stole a 300-year-old tea set from a stately home in south west London.

The heavily gilded cups and saucers were taken from a locked cabinet last month at Osterley House.

Police from the specialist Arts and Antiques Unit said a wedding was taking place on the day of the burglary but the room housing the antiques was not open to the public.

The cups, made between 1770 and 1775, are inscribed with the busts of Russian ruler Catherine the Great and Prussian king Frederick William II who reigned during the 18th century.

Detective Constable Ray Swan, from the Mets Art's and Antiques Unit said the items have "significant historical value" and had been specifically targeted by the thieves.

"We would urge anyone who may know of their whereabouts to come forward as they may hold vital information to help us catch whoever was responsible for this burglary," he added.