POLICE in Marlborough are probing an inter-galactic mystery after four Star Wars characters were stolen from Harpers gift shop in the High Street.

Three feet high pewter models of Darth Vader, Boba Fett, R2D2 and C3PO were stolen in the early hours of Sunday morning as the Mop Fair was being disassembled.

The gift shop window had been broken.

But police believe it was not a straightforward smash and grab.

PC Kevin Read, who is investigating the theft of the four £500 characters, believes they were removed from the window half an hour after the plate glass was shattered at about 2.30am on Sunday.

There was still a lot of activity in the High Street as the last of the two mop fairs was being taken down and PC Read said it was hoped somebody would recall seeing people carrying the Star Wars figures which weigh about 15 kilogrammes (about 35lbs) each.

He said: "They are all identifiable because they are from a limited edition of 2,500."

Witnesses have reported hearing a group of men and women outside the shop at about 2.30am and hearing one of them say: "I have R2D2."

PC Read said the pewter characters were very sought after.

He appealed for anyone who is offered one, or sees one in a friend's or neighbour's house, to contact him at Marlborough police station on (01672) 512311.

He said: "Any of these characters being sold genuinely will have certificates of authenticity which these do not because they were left behind in the shop."