A COLLECTION of rare spoons valued at £20,000 which was stolen from a Barnstaple museum has been found in London.

The discovery follows a lengthy investigation involving the Metropolitan Police, local officers, arts and antiques representatives and museum staff.

The collection of 10 spoons had been on display in the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon on the Square for about five years.

They were taken from a display cabinet on July 31.

The spoons, which were crafted in the town, date from the 16th and 17th centuries and are made of silver and silver gilt.

WPC Shaunaugh Cobb said: "It is excellent news that these spoons have been recovered. This crime was particularly upsetting for the staff and volunteers at the museum, now the spoons can be returned and enjoyed again by members of the public.

"The recovery is an excellent example of how police work provides positive results. The investigation involved a lot of work with outside agencies in the arts and antiques world, the Metropolitan Police and co-operation from the museum.

"We are in the process of bringing the spoons back down to Barnstaple and our enquiries are continuing."

Alison Mills of the museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, added: "This is a great result for the museum; we had given up hope of ever seeing the spoons again.

"They were generously given to the museum by Keith Abraham, and we are really looking forward to putting the spoons back on display so local people can enjoy them once more as he intended.

"It was lucky for us that the spoons are so easily recognisable, and we are grateful to the sharp eyes of the antiques trade."