A UNIQUE piece of antique furniture, worth more than £100,000, has been stolen in a daring early morning raid on a famous stately home.

The Chippendale table was taken after thieves broke their way into Newby Hall, near Ripon, through a shuttered and locked window.

Despite setting off the alarms they made straight for the table and were able to get away from house before startled staff arrived.

There have been a number of other high-value art thefts elsewhere in the country in recent months - but detectives insist it is too early to link the crimes.

The table was designed and made specifically for Newby in 1775 by Thomas Chippendale and is of worldwide significance.

It has featured in many papers and books on fine furniture - making it virtually unsaleable on the open market - and, as the table was the only item targeted by the thieves, police believe it may have been stolen to order.

Distraught house owner Richard Compton said "This is a devastating blow for all of us and a terrible loss. It has been in the house for over 230 years and was commissioned by one of my ancestors."

" It is one of the finest examples of Chippendale's work and has been internationally studied."

The raiders struck at about 2.20am yesterday, smashing their way in through the window of a ground-floor drawing room at the front of the hall.

Mr Compton added: "They obviously knew exactly what they wanted. They appear to have gone into the wrong room first and then found the correct one. They had gone within five minutes."

The George III rosewood and marquetry table was 41ins wide, 28ins high and 30ins deep.

The president of the Historic Houses Association, James Hervey-Bathurst said: "Last night's theft makes it all the more important that there is greater collaboration between British police forces and their counterparts overseas to try and stem the rising instances of thefts and the trafficking of stolen chattels.

"Last night's robbery is not just a tragedy for Newby, but cheats many thousands of visitors from seeing a pre-eminent work. This was a theft from Britain's cultural and artistic heritage and needs to be seen in that context."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious is asked to contact police on 01845-6060247 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111