Police seize 'Aladdin's cave' of antiques in North

An 'Aladdin’s Cave' of hundreds of antiques has been discovered by police in the North, it was revealed today.

Clocks, paintings, silver tea sets and decanters worth thousands of pounds were unearthed by officers following a planned search of a house in Downpatrick.

A 61-year-old man was arrested in connection with the recovery of seven suspected stolen clocks. Police want to trace the owners of all the items, around 150, seized following last October’s swoop.

They include a black slate and marble mantle clock with mercury pendulums, a distinctive marble and gold mantle clock with a large gold eagle, a set of three crystal decanters and matching glasses in a walnut case and a solid silver tea set.

Police suspect the items were stolen, although this is still being established.

The 61-year-old was charged in October with receiving stolen goods, but has not been prosecuted in connection with the remaining 150 items.

Police asked members of the public inquiring about the property to include as many details as possible including ideally photographs and proof of ownership.