A bronze sculpture, worth more than £15,000 has been stolen from the Harris Museum and Art Gallery by a thief who walked out with it in a bag.

The statue, entitled The Sluggard, pictured, was one of the first acquisitions of the Harris in Preston and has been housed there for nearly 100 years.

It stands at 54cm tall, was made in 1890, and was a replica of an original made five years earlier by Lord Leighton, a leading figure of the New Sculpture era emerging at the time.

Police said the thief prised it from its plinth on the top floor of the museum and he is believed to have carried it out in a holdall.

It was discovered missing by museum staff at noon on Tuesday and is thought to have been taken sometime between 11.30am and noon that day.

Yesterday police were examining CCTV footage for clues and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Alex Walker, the museum's head of arts and heritage, said: "It's quite a distinctive item. We have informed the Art Loss Register, the return of the object would be the most positive outcome."

She said the museum would be reviewing its security measures.

The sculpture was acquired by the museum in 1906, 13 years after it opened.

It was inspired by the nude body of life model, Guiseppe Valona, who is shown stretching after a long session.

Numerous copies exist, but Mrs Walker said acquiring another would be difficult.

Keeper of fine art, Francis Marshall, added: "This was one of the first purchases the Harris made, it helped set the tone for the museum."

"Leighton was quite an important painter and in the 19th century this sculpture opened a new chapter. Its naturalistic and free style was quite revolutionary."

Greta Krypczyk-Oddy, chairman of the friends of the Harris, said: "It's not just upsetting but the worse part is that it has been taken away from the people of Preston."

Councillor Veronica Afrin, portfolio holder for regeneration, community, and leisure, said she was hopeful The Sluggard would be recovered.

l Police want to speak to a white man, aged between 30 and 40-years-old, of slim build, with unkempt grey hair. He was wearing blue denim jeans, a light check shirt, and a dark jacket.

Anyone with information should call PC Marsden on 01772 203203, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555111.