TWO pieces of original artwork have been damaged while on display at The Courtyard in Hereford.

The work by Birmingham painter Edward Ball was on display in a gallery when paint was smudged across the canvas and gallery wall.

Kate White, sales and marketing manager, said: "He is very upset about what has happened . His painting are very precious to him and are worth a considerable amount of money."

For a time the exhibition was closed and although it has reopened the exhibits have been cordoned off.

"It's very distressing when this sort of damage takes place but in discussion with the artist we decided to re-hang the exhibition and move things around," Kate said. "The exhibits have been roped off but you can still walk through the exhibition."

The damage occurred between 3pm on Friday March 23 and 11am the next day.

Anyone with information can call police on 08457 444888.