A RETIRED couple believe they were the targets of professional burglars after their £1,000 wine collection was taken just weeks before Christmas.

Geoffrey and Winifred Clayton increased security in their home following two devastating burglaries in 2003. One had even seen extremely rare jewellery from Cairo taken which was up to 3,000 years old.

But just last month their outhouse wine store was raided after burglars broke the lock on the door and stole 30 to 40 bottles of wine.

Mr Clayton is appealing for help in finding the collection, which includes a special bottle of expensive champagne which he bought at a charity auction in London.

The magnum bottle, a Justerini and Brooks, is unusual because it was signed by famous British hostages, Terry Waite, John McCarthy, and Brian Keenan. The three were all held in Lebanon in the 1980s.

The former banker was planning to re-auction the bottle again for charity.

Mr Clayton, 72, said: "We are extremely annoyed and uncomfortable that this could happen again.

"Police came to take finger prints but they the burglars were wearing gloves.

"It seems they must have had some knowledge because of the number of bottles taken.

"It could not have been taken by one individual with a plastic bag."

Their stock also included fine champagne and wine which the couple had collected from France. They had been storing it away for a New Year's Eve party at their home in Temple, near Bisham.

Mr Clayton, 72, now says he is going to beef up security around their property even more. This includes an electric gate which has already been installed and CCTV cameras. He said: "There is a limit to what one can do. You cannot turn any property into a Fort Knox you can only take reasonable precautions. We have security on the house and we are now improving security in the grounds."

He also called for a greater police presence in Temple because of its isolated location. He said: "Unless they are specifically called for a reason no police ever come down."

The wine store has now been emptied. Only a few bottles were left behind.

The burglary happened between Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27 from 4pm to 7pm.

If you have any information call police on 08458 505 505