by Mary Louis

Thieves have nicked a set of 900-year-old stone mushroom tops from one of Kent's most important historic buildings.

They took advantage of disabled security lights at Salmestone Grange in Margate to take the distinctive staddle stones along the drive.

Grange owner William Whelan is appealing for the return of the stones, thought to date back to the 12th Century.

They were taken overnight on March 11 on a night when security lights and CCTV cameras were being worked on.

Mr Whelan said: "Five of the mushroom tops were taken and I am sure whoever did this knew exactly what they were.

"They are very heavy, I could only just lift one.

"We are very attached to them here as they line the drive so beautifully and emphasise the sweep into the Grange."

Salmestone Grange was once a Medieval great barn, with a chapel dating back to 1326.

Staddle stones were traditionally used as foundations to farm buildings to lift them off the ground so that rats could not climb into grain stores and plunder stored crops.

Mr Whelan originally found the stones, made of York stone, buried in piles of rubbish, after buying the property and embarking on extensive restoration in the early 1980s.

He estimated they would each fetch between £200 to £300 at auction.

Mr Whelan said: "I would ask whoever has taken them to return them, they should be with this medieval building which is where they belong."

Salmestone Grange is a popular venue for weddings and other functions.

Anyone with information about the staddle stones can contact Mr Whelan on 01843 231 161 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.