A GOLD Nobel Peace Prize medal and lock of hair from 18th Century naval hero Admiral Lord Collingwood are among a £150,000 haul of valuables stolen from a historic North-East civic building.

The haul includes the 1934 gold medal awarded to Labour Party founder Arthur Henderson, a former Darlington mayor and Barnard Castle MP.

They were stolen during a break in at the Lord Mayor of Newcastle's Mansion House.

Police believe the raiders broke in through the cellar of the property in Fernwood Road in Jesmond overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

Superintendent Bruce Storey, of Northumbria Police, said: “Some of the items taken in this burglary are very uncommon and we are asking the public to keep their eyes open for them.

“One of the items is a Nobel Peace Prize, dating back to 1934 when it was awarded to Newcastle's Arthur Henderson for his work on international disarmament. It is extremely rare, recognisable and historically important.”

The medal bears the inscription "Parlimentum Norvegial A Munro Henderson" and is with a presentation scroll in a leather case.

Antique silverware taken includes silver cups dating back to 1919, a set of four Victoria napkin rings embossed with a star from 1875 and a William IV snuff box dating back to 1834.

Other valuables include a George II mustard pot from 1759 and a Queen Anne silver love cup engraved with two Queen Anne coat of arms.

Admiral Collingwood was born in 1748 and is celebrated in the North-East for his career at sea, which spanned more than four decades.

He is best known for taking control of the British fleet during the Battle of Trafalgar, after Admiral Lord Nelson was killed.

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: "Police are investigating a burglary at the Mansion House on Monday, April 1. We would urge anyone with any information to contact them to help them with their enquiries.

“All functions scheduled to take place this week will go ahead as planned."

Anyone with information about the burglary, or with information about the location of any of the items taken, is asked to contact police on the 101 non-emergency number, or call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.