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

Two replica English Civil War helmets, a chain mail hood and a Napoleonic axe dating from 1709 were taken from Maldon Combined Services Museum between 2pm and 4.30pm on Thursday.

On Saturday night the armoury at Mountfitchet Castle was burgled 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.

A man, who is 32 and from the Takeley area, was arrested last night on suspicion of theft 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.

He has been released on police bail until April 19 pending further enquiries.