Police digging for castle gems

POLICE have started digging up wasteland in a search for historic jewels stolen from a castle – including Mary Queen of Scots’ gold rosary beads.

The jewels, valued at more than £1million but described as of ‘priceless historical importance’, were taken from Arundel Castle in West Sussex in May. A gang broke into the building at night.

Stolen items include the beads carried by Mary at her execution in 1587 and gold and silver-gilt coronation cups. Police with detection equipment were yesterday digging near Carterton, Oxfordshire. It comes after a 45-yearold man was arrested in Eckington, Worcestershire, on Tuesday and released under investigation yesterday.

Insurers have offered a ‘substantial’ reward if any of the stolen items are recovered intact. A Sussex Police spokesman said of the dig: ‘This action marks a significant step in our inquiries.’