A THIEF with a taste for Peter Rabbit and friends stole more than £15,000 of prized Beatrix Potter figurines from a Lake District hotel.

The thief broke into glass-fronted cabinets and cherry-picked around 50 of the most valuable ornaments from a unique collection of around 125 Beatrix Potter figurines on display at Newby Bridge Hotel.

Featuring the likes of Jemima Puddleduck and Benjamin Bunny, the porcelain creatures included many first editions of Royal Doulton, Royal Albert and Beswick porcelain some worth up to £2,000 each - and was believed to have been the only collection of its kind in Britain.

Police believe the collectables were taken sometime overnight between 11pm on May 15 and May 16 and are appealing for witnesses.

May 23, 2003 10:00