AN oil painting of an ancestor, together with silver and porcelain were taken by burglars from a house in Scholards Lane, Ramsbury, last week.

The value of the stolen antiques has not been revealed.

Owner James Brooks said the painting is a much treasured heirloom which the family were anxious to recover.

Mr Brooks was away from The Old Coach House when burglars struck between 12pm and midnight on Tuesday.

Another item of particular sentimental value which was stolen was a china piggy bank made by the late Peter Holdsworth, a friend of Mr Brooks' mother, Georgie, who also lives in Ramsbury.

The pig was one of a limited edition produced by Mr Holdsworth, who ran the Ramsbury Pottery in Back Lane with his wife, Kathleen. Pieces made at the pottery have recently become very collectable.

Mrs Brooks said: "The china pig and the painting are quite distinctive.

"They are very precious to us so we do hope they will be recovered."

She said the pig had Mr Holdsworth's raven imprint on the base.

The 900 x 600mm oil by the 18th century French artist SH Chambertin, was of Richard Oakes, one of Mrs Brooks' ancestors, who was a diplomat.

It was painted when he was charg d'affaires in St Petersburg, Russia, in 1776.

International art theft specialists have been asked to investigate the theft of the painting in the hope that it might be traced.