Wine worth £65,000 stolen from Lime Wood hotel cellar

Eighty bottles of wine with a book value of about £65,000 have been stolen from the cellar of Lime Wood hotel in the New Forest.

Thieves broke into the cellar of the five-red-AA-star hotel early on Monday morning. Police have since launched an appeal asking for information.

The spokesperson for the hotel said: "On Monday 11th November at 3.38am there was a theft of high-value wines from Lime Wood. The appropriate authorities have been alerted and a police investigation is underway. Approximately 80 bottles have been taken with a book value of around £65,000"

The 33-bedroom Lime Wood hotel was launched just outside Lyndhurst, Hampshire, in 2009, on behalf of its billionaire owner Jim Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals company Ineos. Robin Hutson is the chairman and chief executive.

The hotel's wine list has won many awards since its opening 10 years ago including Tattinger Wine List of the Year 2015 and 2016, as well Most Innovative and Exciting Wine List at the Conde Nast Johansens Awards 2016 and 2017.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "If you are offered any high-quality wine at a bargain price or if you have any information about this theft, please call 101 and quote crime number 44190405894."