A VALUABLE and rare statue stolen from the garden of a Verwood home may have been taken to Wiltshire, police say.

The bronze cast, which shows a life-size deer and fawn, was taken from an address in Doe Lane at around 9pm on Sunday, March 19.

Owner Michele Pogson was at home with her family when thieves broke into the property and made off with the statue.

She told the Daily Echo at least four men would have been needed to lift the piece.

PC Fay Sweeting, of Dorset Police, said: “The statue is estimated to be worth around £5,000 and is one of only two ever made.

"It has great sentimental value to the owners.

“I have now received information to suggest that the statue may have been transported to Wiltshire.

“It is believed that the vehicle which was used to carry the statue was also used to tow a caravan, which we think was stolen.

"It is thought to be a 2011 Sterling Celebration four-berth caravan."

Anyone who has seen the statue of caravan for sale in suspicious circumstances since the thefts should contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting 55170040536.