FOR the first time in its seven-year history Hereford Courtyard played scene to more of mystery than it would like.

Artist Julian Meredith, whose silk screen hangings adorned the glass structure's cavernous atrium for past six weeks, had a work stolen from the First Floor Canyon.

Bad enough, in itself, that the picture - the most valued of a collection of eight exhibited there - disappeared without any of the venue's staff noticing.

Worse that it transpires the picture was not insured.

Mr Meredith, a fine print artist of national repute, is now pressing the venue's chief executive, Martyn Green, for a response.

"The fact that a fairly large work could be stolen, despite the continual presence of a large staff seems unbelievable," he said.

"It was not even realised that the picture had been taken until I returned after a week away and pointed it out."

Mr Green commented: "We are extremely concerned that a work was stolen from the building and immediately we were aware of the theft the police were notified.

"This is the first time a theft of a work of art has occurred.

However, all artists are advised in their contract that the Courtyard does not insure the work and that this is the direct responsibility of the artist.

"This has always been the case and is one of the reasons why the Courtyard takes a 10% commission on any work sold, compared to commercial galleries who commonly take up to 50% commission."

Mr Green said that everyone who exhibits in the building does so on the same basis, which is gone through in a briefing meeting beforehand.Every artist has an information pack and signs a contract.

The police are continuing with their investigation.