Police want to speak to this man about the theft of two antique plates from Petworth House, Petworth.

Sussex Police detectives say he was seen acting suspiciously at the National Trust country house last month.

They want to talk to him about the theft of two plates from the site in February.

The force issued the man's picture yesterday, with a statement saying: "This man was seen behaving suspiciously at Petworth House, a National Trust property, on the afternoon of Wednesday 1 August.

"He was observed trying several locked doors before leaving the premises. He was seen on a number of CCTV cameras and police are releasing an image of him from one of the cameras, hoping that someone will recognise him."

He was described as white, in his 50s, medium height, heavy build, with short, grey hair.

He wore a beige T-shirt with dark trousers and shoes.

Detective Constable Andrea Watts said: "We believe this may be the same man we want to interview about the theft of two valuable plates from Petworth House."

The Japanese porcelain plates were taken on Thursday, February 9.

They are decorated with flowers and have gold edges.

Their bases carried the numbers L/PET/C/99.1 AND L/PET/C/99.2 - but they may have been covered or scratched from the glaze.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, quoting serial 1375 of August 1, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.