SLATES have been stolen from an historic Elizbethan manor house and will cost £30,000 to replace, say Devon and Cornwall Police.

The 40 slate tiles were stolen from Prideaux Place, a Padstow house built in the 16th century.

The thieves are thought to have struck during the night of May 20 and removed the tiles, some of which measure 3ft square and one and a half inches thick.

The tiles were taken from the battlement wall which surrounds the

property.

The thieves are believed to have parked their van in a nearby lane.

"It is a nasty feeling to know that someone has deliberately taken these slates that have been here for more than 250 years," said Mrs Elizabeth Prideaux-Brune, who lives there with her

husband, Peter.