Lord Nelson items stolen from Norwich Castle Museum

Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe in north Norfolk

Admiral Lord Nelson artefacts valued at £36,800 have been reported stolen from a Norfolk museum, just five days after another burglary was thwarted there.

Police said medals marking Nelson's death and the Battle of the Nile were reported missing from Norwich Castle Museum on 25 February.

A gold mourning ring, worth £25,000, a box of medallions and a saucer from the admiral's tea service were also taken.

In the same week, staff stopped thieves trying to steal a rhino's head.

Norfolk Police said an off-duty officer notified the museum of a potential theft of Nelson items during the afternoon of 25 February, when he found an insecure display cabinet.

Vanessa Trevelyan, head of Norfolk Museums Service, said the authority wanted to carry out a thorough investigation before going public to determine what had happened, but also to make sure nothing else had been taken from the museum.

'Review of security'

She added police inquiries were under way during this time.

"This is obviously a serious incident and one which we are treating with the utmost gravity," Ms Trevelyan said.

"A full review of security arrangements at the museum is being undertaken in the light of this theft and a recent attempted theft of a Rhino horn from the museum."

On 20 February,four men had attempted to take a rhino's headfrom the castle during opening hours after forcing open a display case.

The mourning ring was said to be worn by Nelson's family after his death

But as they tried to escape they were disturbed by museum staff who recovered it from them.

Police said they currently do not know whether the two incidents are linked.

A celebrated £50m Titian masterpiece -Diana and Actaeon- that was saved for the nation after a public fundraising appeal, recently went on show at the museum.

Bill Seaman, assistant head of Norfolk Museums Service, said security around the painting had been stepped up, with more staff and cameras monitoring it, but added it had previously been independently audited and the castle's security was deemed adequate.

Police are currently analysing CCTV footage as part of their new investigation and are appealing for witnesses.