A GANG of art thieves escaped with a £20,000 haul of pottery, jewellery, paintings and clothing in a burglary at a Bradshaw house.

The haul includes six paintings - mostly of scenes of Salford - by artist Bob Richardson.

Detectives believe the thieves may now try to sell the property to antique dealers or through second hand stores.

A Crimestoppers award is now on offer for information leading to the arrest of the raiders. The gang stole the haul from the home of a Bolton businessman while he and his family were away on holiday.

The thieves disabled the alarm system at the house before smashing their way in through a ground floor window.

The thieves obviously had an eye for the finer things in life.

They stole the most valuable treasures in the house, abandoning many of the cheaper items of art and porcelain. The haul included 22 pieces of Lladro, worth £7,000, five Royal Doulton figurines, jewellery and a range of electrical equipment.

Six paintings by artist Bob Richardson included a pastel drawing of a fairground, one entitled "The Corner Shop" and other scenes of Prestbury and the Mark Addy Bridge near Manchester city centre.

In addition, there was an original painting by another artist entitled "Driving Home."

The cheeky thieves then drove away in the family's own car, which was later found abandoned in the Great Lever area. Det Con Janette Hardman, of Astley Bridge CID, said the thieves appear to have known which works of art to steal.

She said: "The owners of the property are heartbroken. The porcelain and paintings in particular are of great sentimental value, one of which was a 40th wedding anniversary present."

Anyone offered any of the property for sale or anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers detectives on the free phone number 0800 555 111.

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