An art student says she feels like she has been "kicked in the teeth" by thieves who have stolen months of her work.

Two bronze statues made by artist Melinda Poole were stolen during an exhibition of work by Bradford College students at Bolton Royd Gallery, in Manningham, Bradford.

Melinda, 29, of Great Horton Road, Bradford, was hoping to sell the statues so she could afford to continue with her college studies.

The student, who is studying a BA in fine art, said: "Some people have said to me that it's a bit of a compliment if someone though they were good enough to steal.

"But it would have been a greater compliment if they had the decency to pay for them and recognise the months of hard work that's gone into them.

"I just feel like I've been kicked in the teeth.

"I was hoping to sell the statues for about £175 to help fund my course."

The figurines were noticed missing from the Strangeness and Beauty exhibition on Friday, November 24, but could have been stolen at any time during the preceding week.

One of the statues called Dragon Lady features a crossed-legged bronze cast woman with a lead dragon perched on her hand.

The second, called acrobat, shows a girl stretching over in an acrobatic crab-like position.

Inspector Paul Jeffrey, of Toller Lane Police, said: "I would urge anyone who are offered art work like this to contact the police as a matter of urgency.

"It's a tragedy when someone puts a great deal of time and effort into a course of study and then to have that ruined by a thoughtless theft."

Anyone who has seen the statues can contact Toller Lane police helpdesk on (01274) 376259.