Diamond Crown Stolen

     Police are hunting a gang of thieves who smashed into an armoured glass display case at a historic estate before fleeing with a priceless diamond tiara.

The famous Portland Tiara - seen by countless members of the public and described as a 'national treasure' - was pinched from The Welbeck Estate in Worksop, Nottinghamshire on Tuesday night.

Burglars broke into the Portland Collection Gallery on the estate sometime between 9.45pm and 10pm and made off with the heirloom.

They also stole a diamond brooch from the same display case while the alarms were sounding.

Richard Edgcumbe, Curator of Jewellery at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, said: "The Portland Tiara is one of the great historic tiaras of Great Britain.
           "Since its creation by Cartier in 1902, using diamonds from the historic collections of the Dukes of Portland, it has been recognised as a jewel of supreme importance, a superb design magnificently executed."

Police are appealing for information about a silver Audi S5 suspected to have been involved in the offence
           Winifred, Duchess of Portland, wearing the tiara to the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII