A VALUABLE statue, which has stood in the grounds of a North Yorkshire hotel for nearly 300 years, has been stolen.

The sculpture of a bustard was taken from Middlethorpe Hotel sometime over the weekend.

The piece, which bears the coat of arms of the original householders and had been in the garden since 1720, was chiselled out of a concrete plinth. Two lead urns and a statue of an eagle were also stolen in the raid which has shocked staff at the exclusive hotel.

It is believed an organised team of thieves would have been needed to remove the heavy statuary.

Hotel manager Milton Hussey said the theft had been a "devastating loss". "This bustard was engraved with the coat of arms of the original family of Middlethorpe Hall," he said.

Mr Hussey said he did not want to speculate on the nature of the theft, but added: "Whoever took it desperately wanted it. It will have taken three or four people to move it off the estate.

"This is the most significant theft of an object from any of our historical hotel gardens since we were established in 1979. "It is a devastating loss and we are offering a reward of £250 for its return. It is very difficult to put a price on the object. It is very old, and it is irreplaceable."

Middlethorpe Hall was built in 1699 after Thomas Barlow, the original owner, acquired the estate the year before.

Today Mr Hussey said everyone at the hotel was hopeful of seeing the bustard returned as the centrepiece of the garden. "Obviously, we are asking for its return. Its loss doesn't detract from the quality of the hotel, but it is of historical importance," he said.

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm this theft has occurred. Anyone who witnessed it, or has any information about it is urged to contact York CID on 01904 631321."

Updated: 10:41 Tuesday, December 18, 2001