COUNTRY Watch police are appealing for information following the theft of a painting from the Shalden area, near Alton.

The painting by Arthur Melville (1855-1904) of a Tennis Party at Kilmaron Castle, Fife, was stolen from a vehicle on October 1.

Framed, glazed and measuring 12.5 x 16.1 inches, the painting is in watercolour coloured chalks and is inscribed, in the right corner ‘to Mrs Streatham from Arthur Meliville, September 15th 1989’.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, or who has seen the painting on sale, should call 101 quoting 44150438297.