POLICE are investigating after historial ornaments and art work were stolen from Birchington’s Powell Cotton Museum.

A £7,000 picture and a garden statue valued at £5,000 were taken just before 2am on Monday.

A member of staff was woken by an alarm and discovered that the main gates to the museum had been lifted from its hinges.

A window was smashed and its security cage was ripped from the wall. A wooden box and jewellery were also taken.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Thanet Police on 01843 231055.