THE moat surrounding an historic Worcestershire house was not enough to ward off thieves who broke in to steal treasured possessions.

They used a small boat to gain access to Madresfield Court near Malvern.

Having broken into the home, which dates from 1120, the thieves made off with a number of decorative items including porcelain and glass.

The value of the property is still being assessed.

Lady Morrison, the owner of Madresfield Court, said the items had sentimental value.

She added: "I would ask anyone who has any information about the items taken to contact police. Many of the pieces taken have a great sentimental value and we would really like to see them returned."

Worcester police have launched an investigation into the burglary.

"Lady Morrison lives at Madresfield Court and was shaken up by this," said estate manager Peter Hughes.

"This is a moated house. It appears they came across the moat in a boat and broke in through the drawing room window."

"And it seems they went out the same way."

The private home houses unique collections of paintings and books, as well as pieces from the late Victorian Arts and Crafts Movement.

Charles II is reputed to have stayed there during the Battle of Worcester and Evelyn Waugh, a frequent guest during the 1920s and 30s, used the house, its chapel and members of the Lygon family as models for his most famous novel Brideshead Revisited.

Madresfield Court has been passed down through the Lygon family and Lady Morrison is the niece of the last Earl Beauchamp.

The house is famous for its collections of exceptional furniture and porcelain. The library contains more than 8,000 books, the earliest dating back to Masses written by monks before the invention of printing.

Anyone with information about the stolen items or who thinks they may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Tuesday, March 11, should contact Det Con Dave Glass or Det Sgt Dave Lewis on 08457 444777 quoting 16C/120303.