77416-40THOUSANDS of pounds worth of original artwork has been stolen from an Old Town art gallery.

The burglars smashed their way into Halliday Art Gallery, in Devizes Road, early yesterday morning.

Owner Janet Halliday-Stronge said she was devastated when she saw the destruction the thieves had left behind.

They made off with a total of £10,670 worth of original paintings and destroyed other works and sculptures totalling £784.

Mrs Halliday-Stronge, 56, said: " I am very angry and very upset. I've worked really hard to get this business where it is.

"We give people in the town a good service and this is just sickening."

The most expensive painting stolen was a one-off original by aviation artist Adrian Rigby. The painting titled, Concorde Queen of the Skies, was valued at £5,995.

One of the other paintings stolen was Black and White Study for Cerulean by Fletcher Sibthorp.

Mrs Halliday-Stronge had managed to acquire the original black and white study from Fletcher's first ever UK one-man exhibition.

Mrs Halliday-Stronge said: "What's the point of stealing them? They will not be able to sell them on the open market because they will be reported stolen.

"No reputable gallery will buy a stolen painting.

"But for the right price someone equally as dishonest as the people who stole them would.

"It's a very personal trade. I chose all the artwork myself. It's almost sentimental, like losing a treasure."

The thieves left a trail of destruction behind them.

Shattered glass littered the floor and smashed sculptures and paintings were strewn across the gallery.

Mrs Halliday-Stronge said: "If you are running a small business and you are robbed then it has a huge impact on you. "I am so upset, people just don't realise how difficult it is."

Employees and friends rallied round to help her clean up the mess to ensure the gallery was open for business today.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "At this stage of early police inquiries it is not possible to say whether this offence is linked to other similar incidents in the town.

"We are appealing for witnesses to come forward. In particular we are keen to hear from anyone who is approached for the sale of artworks."

Callers are asked to contact Swindon police on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Lyndsay Scanlan