THIEVES have made off with an "astonishing" £600,000 haul of fine art and antiques during a theft in Kidderminster.

The goods, which included a Madonna and Child painting by Borgnone and a Steinway baby grand piano, were taken from an articulated lorry outside The Viaduct pub, Chester Road South, Kidderminster.

The precious items were inside a container carrying 24 fine art paintings including the Adoration of the Magi by Joos de Beer.

An American tall case clock and porcelain figures were included in the haul.

The owner of the property, who does not wish to be named, is offering a £25,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to its recovery and identification of the thieves.

The white Seddon Atkinson lorry, which has light blue diagonal stripes and the registration number S2 WHL, has been recovered in Dock Meadow Lane, Bilston.

However, the orange container, which carried the goods, has not been found following the theft, which happened between 3pm and 11.30pm on Sunday, October 29.

Other items stolen included paintings of Bouquet des Fleurs by Henri Fantin-Latour, Breaking Cover by Turner and four hunting scenes by Egbert-Jones.

PC Adrian Hewitt, of Kidderminster Police, said: "This is a quite astonishing and amazing haul of artwork which has an incredible value.

"We need information about the theft as soon as possible and urge anyone with an inkling of suspicion to contact us."

Anyone with information about the theft should call Det Insp Dave Jones at Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.