PRESTON'S historic Harris Museum and Art Gallery may be on a smaller scale than the British Museum, but it's suffering the same problems.

A bizarre piece of artwork was snatched in broad daylight from a plinth in the town centre gallery by an opportunist thief.

The theft echoes a recent high-profile event at the British Museum in London, where a 2,500-year-old Greek marble head was taken during the day last week.

But the Preston piece was no ordinary work of art. It had been brought all the way from Pakistan, and was a piece of jewellery made up of different materials -- including human fingernails!

The Harris is now reviewing its security and studying CCTV footage to try and spot the culprit. James Green, senior exhibitions officer for the Harris, said: "We are looking at CCTV footage at the moment and we suspect it's more like it's an opportunist thief. It could be that someone has taken it as a dare.

"It was a mixed medium piece, made up of fabric and card. But the most interesting component is the human fingernails!"

The artwork, named No Man's Land, was made by Pakistani artist Masooma Syed. It was part of an exhibition being shown at the Harris until September, showcasing the work of South Asian artists in art galleries across the North West.

It went missing between 11am and 11.30am on Wednesday, July 31.

Mr Green admitted: "We are currently reviewing security. There are cameras in the gallery and we are reviewing the footage from that.

"The artist has been contacted and they're obviously disappointed."

The unusual work was insured for $400, or about £250.

Mr Green went on: "It's extremely regrettable that the work has been stolen but I suppose it is fortunate that it is not a particularly high value object, so there is some consolation there.

"Nevertheless, it is a very regrettable incident, and we are very disappointed."

The plinth which held the missing piece has now been removed. The Threads, Dreams, Desires exhibition runs until September 14.

Preston police say they are investigating the theft. Anybody with information should call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.