Irreplaceable artwork created by one of the island’s most influential art tutors has been stolen and destroyed.

Thieves broke into an art trust dedicated to the work of artist David Gilbert and stole 50 sculptures worth about £150,000 and vandalised 20 others.

Gilbert lived in the Isle of Man during the 1970s and 1980s.

He died in 2016 at the age of 86, leaving his collection of 265 sculptures and 600 drawings and prints in the care of The David Gilbert Art Trust.

The artworks were being stored in Park Avenue, in Mossley Hill, Liverpool,

Nick Benefield, chairman of the trustees, who was close friends with Gilbert for almost 50 years, said: ’The work had been packed due to our lease being up in December, and someone has broken in over the weekend.

’Fifty pieces have been taken and another 20 have been destroyed or damaged. It is devastating.’

He said the sculptures were not insured and are irreplaceable.

Gilbert created art for more than 50 years, including sculptures in wood, many drawings and woodcuts.

Examples of his artwork can be seen decorating the top of the Manx Museum, in a series of relief sculptures around the top of the building, and in the etched glass pattern on the doors.

In the 1970s and 1980s, he lived at the Bishops Demesne Farm at Ballaugh with his wife Sheila and their family, where they had their own smallholding and grew their own food.

Police say the artwork was stolen between Thursday, October 4 and Tuesday, October 9.

It is believed the thieves entered by smashing a window, and left through a fire door.

Other artworks were dumped in bushes at the back of the building and were damaged beyond repair.

Detective Inspector Phil Mahon said: ’All of the pieces stolen were totally unique.

’We believe the offenders may have used a vehicle to transport these items, as some of the stolen pieces were very heavy. It may be they made several trips to the site.

’I would appeal to anyone who has been offered one of these unique pieces or who has bought one, to get in contact.’