STATELY home-owners and vicars are being warned to be on their guard following thefts of millions of pounds worth of antiques from houses and churches in the county last year.

In one incident, a 17th Century carved oak bishop's chair, which is so rare its value is described as "incalculable", was stolen in a church raid.

The chair is among several valuable antiques stolen from stately homes and churches in Worcestershire last year.

More than 3,600 items were reported stolen from UK churches in 2003 - many in the Midlands.

Nick Tolson, co-ordinator for the National Churchwatch group - a non-profit organisation dealing with crimes in churches - said parishioners should be vigilant.

But he added that churches should not make the mistake of locking up in a bid to stop the thefts.

"The main thing is that they make sure they have good photographs of the items and the property is marked," he said.

"Vicars should also make sure people use the churches and keep them busy as that's how we catch thieves in the end."

An 18th Century French bronze statue of Apollo and Daphne was also among one of 174 items, worth a total of £15m, stolen from Madresfield Court, Worcestershire, last March.

During the same month, thieves stole an 18th Century Indian jade hookah pipe with European jewelled parcel-gilt silver mounts from a stately home in the county.

And a rosewood Victorian music box, of unknown value, with a marquetry inlay of a nest of birds and flowers on the lid, was stolen in a raid on a Worcestershire home last June.

Mr Tolson said he believed a lot of the thefts were linked to drugs - with addicts being paid in illegal substances to steal the items.

"It's of great concern to us because these items are irreplaceable and, once they're gone, they'll be shipped out of the country pretty quickly," he said.

National Churchwatch is linked to a company called Trace, which has a national database on antiques reported stolen and every item for sale in auction rooms around the world. If a match is made, then police are called in.

For more information on National Churchwatch, visit www.nationalchurchwatch.com