Police are trying to trace the owner of a mystery oil painting found abandoned in Wickford.

A passer-by spotted the painting in a hedgerow on the Wick Estate over a month ago and handed it in at Wickford police station.

PC Geoff Whiter said: "It is possible that it has come from a burglary, but we have checked the records and it has not been reported missing."

The painting is not signed and its frame has seen better days, but the picture itself has remained dry and may be valuable.

PC Whiter is also looking for the owner of an octagonal wooden sewing box with legs, given to commemorate a silver wedding.

The two-foot-wide box was handed in last week and contained old sewing patterns and a scroll dedicating the gift to "Hazel and Thomas" for their 25th wedding anniversary.

It, too, was found abandoned on the Wick estate, but police are not linking the two discoveries.Call Wickford police station or go along in person if you recognise these items.

Is this picture yours? If so, contact PC Geoff Whiter at Wickford police

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