MUSEUM curators were left feeling like it was the end of the world after an art thief walked away with a rare globe.

The 300-year-old object had been attached to the Grand Orrery in the basement of the Museum of the History of Science, Broad Street, Oxford, for the past 80 years.

But a thief has stolen the £4,000 antique by walking in to the museum during opening hours last Thursday and removing it from brass rods possibly leaving with it in their pocket.

The globe was part of a structure which demonstrated how the planets and solar system move across the night sky.

The globe was designed and made by Richard Cushee in 1731, and although others are believed to exist, very few are on public display.

Museum director Dr Jim Bennett said: "I don't honestly know if it has been stolen to order, or by an opportunist thief. If it's a prank they might throw it away. But if they know the value of it, they might return it.

"It's one of the most striking pieces in the museum and it's a great loss."

The exhibit shows the Earth, five other planets, the sun and the moon, because the rest of the planets in the solar system had not been discovered when the piece was made.

An unspecified reward has been issued by Crimestoppers for its safe return.