A reward is being offered after four bronze statues were stolen from the garden of their creator's son while he nursed his dying father.

The sculptures, made by artist Gerry Downes, were taken from his son Kevin Downes' Rainham home.

Mr Downes only discovered they were missing on December 30 after his 83-year-old dad died after suffering a long illness.

He does not know exactly when they were stolen as he did not go into the garden while caring for his father.

Mr Downes is now offering a £2,000 reward for their safe return and thinks more than one person must have stolen them as they are heavy.

He said: "Whoever stole them is an ignorant philistine who obviously only has the ability to steal from others.

"My father worked for three years on the statues and they have huge sentimental value to me - that's why I am offering the reward.

"There will be a huge gap in my dad's life's work if they are never seen again."

Mr Downes is fearful the statues will be melted for scrap and thinks a crane or lorry might have been used to lift them over the fence.

The four statues, a female circus performer on a horse, a man and woman dancing, a man and woman joined at the back and an abstract pregnant woman - were about 4ft tall.

All are stamped with the initials GD Downes and a unicorn.

PC Harpreet Hothi said: "The statues have great sentimental value to the owner and he would very much like them returned to him.

"Due to the size and weight of the pieces, it would have been extremely difficult to remove them manually and therefore it is likely that lifting equipment would have been used."

Anyone who has seen the statues for sale or has information that might help police, phone PC Hothi on 01634 792525 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.