THE irate owner of a Blakedown art gallery chased two raiders after they bungled a smash and grab at her premises, causing £800 worth of damage.

Stephanie Willetts, 38, was alone at Eastcote Art Gallery, Birmingham Road, when two men burst through the door, grabbed a framed picture worth £500 and tried to make off.

The would-be burglars smashed a pane of glass with the picture in their haste to get away and dropped it before fleeing.

Mrs Willetts gave chase but the men made off in a red Ford Escort van parked 30 yards up the road. It was driven away by a woman.

Co-owner and husband Stuart, 57, said the two men had called at the shop 45 minutes earlier and inquired about a footballing picture before leaving a false telephone number.

The two men are described as in their early 20s, possibly brothers, and were dressed in smart but casual clothes. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kidderminster police on 01562 820888.

Burglars smashed their way into a Stourport factory - to steal a nine stone alsatian guard dog.

The six-year-old was stolen from WHS Pallets between 5pm on Thursday, November 22 and 5.40am the following morning.

Raiders forced a padlock and smashed a window to get in.Tools and the safe were untouched.

Police spokeswoman Caroline Schubert said. "The dog is highly distinctive, with black and grey hair, as it is crossed with a white alsatian."