A man has been arrested in connection with the theft of historic weapons and armour from a castle and museum in Essex.

The arrest follows investigations into the theft of items from Maldon Combined Services Museum on Thursday. March 13 and a burglary at Stansted Mountfitchet Castle on Saturday night, March 15.

Two replica English Civil War helmets, a chain mail hood and a Napoleonic axe dating from 1709 were taken from the museum.

And a chain mail shirt, steel riveted coif, two Norman two-handed swords, a mace, a double-handed Norman axe, a jousting helmet, two Saxon metal helmets, a Norman longbow and 10 arrows were stolen from the castle.

A man was arrested yesterday evening when he attended the police station at Stansted Airport.

Police later carried out a search of a property in the area and recovered a large number of items.

The man, who is 32 and from the Takeley area, was arrested on suspicion of theft and remains in custody this morning.