POLICE are investigating the theft of five historic miniature portraits worth an estimated £100,000 from Hever Castle, near Edenbridge.

Thieves struck at about 3pm on Monday, while the castle, childhood home of King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was open to the public. The stolen objects were taken from a locked glass display case.

Robert Pullin, managing director of Hever Castle, said: "We are all very upset and devastated by the loss of these beautiful miniatures.

"They formed an important part of the Tudor and Stuart portrait collection which has been built up by the Castle."

The pictures stolen were:

* A circular miniature of Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, in black dress, with laced collar and headdress.

* Mary Stuart (1542-87), Queen of Scotland, wearing gold figured black dress and gold crucifix about her neck. She holds a cross and blue book

* A circular miniature of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex. Studio of Hans Holbein, circa 1535

* A heart-shaped locket of rock crystal, mounted with silver and diamonds, containing a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots. Dated 19 August 1561, the day of her landing at Leith.

* A circular miniature of Queen Mary in black dress, headdress and laced collar. After Lucas de Heere.

Police are also investigatinga separate incident overnight when a failed attempt was made to steal a marble oval bowl and its marble plinth from the Italian Gardens at Hever.

Anyone with information is asked to contact WEst Kent police on 01732 771055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Callers to Crimestoppers do not have to leave their name.