AN international search is under way to find two priceless hand-painted oak panel pictures of saints hacked from a medieval screen at Torbryan's 15th century Holy Trinity Church.

The spectacular artwork had survived unviolated for 500 years before thieves helped themselves to the small treasures some time in the last month.

Speculation is rife that the rare depictions of St Victor of Marseilles and St Margaret of Antioch were stolen to order by a collector from abroad.

Similar thefts of painted panels from the church's highly ornate rood screen were reported in 1997 and 2003. None has been recovered.

Experts say the beautifully conceived panels – measuring 45cm by 15cm – were significant pieces of ecclesiastical art from the late medieval period.