Stolen painting are back, but damaged

THREE stolen paintings by Picasso, Gauguin and Van Gogh which were found yesterday today following an anonymous tip-off may have been severely damaged by rain, police said.

A tube containing the valuable paintings was found near to a disused public toilet close to Whitworth Art Gallery, from where they were stolen, in Manchester city centre.

A Greater Manchester police spokeswoman said heavy rain overnight was thought to have damaged the paintings, which were estimated to be worth more than £1 million. A note was believed to have been written on the tube from the thieves, claiming that their motive was to highlight the poor security at the art gallery, according to police sources.