A rhino horn worth more than gold has been stolen from a zoo.

Drusillas Animal Park, near Alfriston, had the rare black animal artefact in a secure display cabinet as part of an exhibition when the lock was forced and it was snatched.

The theft is the latest in a series of similar attacks on animal collections in museums throughout Europe.

The horn was on display as part of the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) education exhibit.

Thieves forced the lock in broad daylight on Wednesday and escaped with the horn between 4.15pm and 4.30pm.

Shortly after, staff saw two men running away from the scene and acting suspiciously.

They were described as Caucasian and in their late teens to early twenties. One was wearing a baseball cap and sportswear, while the other had a horizontal blue and white striped top with jeans. They were last seen heading on foot in the direction of Alfriston village.

The robbery is the latest in a chain of similar attacks on collections and museums throughout Europe. Sadly the demand for rhino horn on the black market is high, fuelling a value which is currently greater than gold.

If anyone has any information in connection with the incident or saw anything suspicious, please contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."