A COLLECTION of historic wine and champagne was stolen by masked thieves who raided a Wirral hotel.

Merseyside Police say it was reported that at some time between 1am and 8am on Sunday two unknown offenders broke into the cellar at Hillbark Hotel in Royden Park before making off with a large quantity of historic wine and champagne.

According to the hotel, the stolen bottles are of high sentimental value and include three bottles which were produced and hidden in France during the German occupation of France in WW2.

In a post on its Facebook page, the hotel said some of the bottles of wine are "unsuitable for consumption" but "form part of Hillbark’s heritage."

The hotel is offering a reward of over £2000 to anyone who can help to retrieve the bottles.

Damage was also caused to a car during the incident which was parked at the hotel.

In a Facebook post, Hillbark Hotel & Spa said: "We are deeply saddened to report that for the first time in 19 years, Hillbark Hotel & Spa was broken into.

"Last night we were targeted for the theft of many bottles of wine from our premises.

"Although we are disappointed to have any of our wines stolen, our biggest loss are a few specific bottles, which form part of Hillbark's heritage.

"To us, these are of high sentimental value and are irreplaceable. Some are unsuitable for consumption so would not be valuable to anyone else.

"We would like to request the help of anyone who may be able to assist us in recovering them.

"If you have any information about the incident, the location of our wines or the individuals who broke into our hotel please contact the police.

"We are offering a reward to the value of in excess of £2000 to anyone who can help us retrieve the following sentimental wines."

The collection included:

  • Bollinger, “rd”, ay (magnum) 1988
  • Perrier jouet & co, “reserve cuvée”, épernay 1942
  • Louis roederer, “cristal”, reims 1985
  • Louis roederer, “cristal”, reims 1995
  • Moet et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, épernay 1971
  • Moet et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, épernay 1982
  • Moet et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, enotheque, épernay 1993
  • Moet et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, épernay 1996
  • Moet et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, épernay 2008
  • Krug, ”clos de mesnil”, blanc de blancs, reims 1988
  • Krug, “clos de mesnil”, blanc de blancs, reims 1990
  • Taittinger, “comtes de champagne-brut rosé”, reims 1996
  • Moët et chandon, “cuvée dom pérignon”, rosé, épernay 1993
  • Louis roederer, “cristal rosé”, reims 1995
  • Cirsion - tempranillo 2005
  • Cirsion - tempranillo 2001
  • Henschke, hill of grace - shiraz 2005
  • Penfolds, "grange", bin 95 - shiraz 1989

"We greatly appreciate any help, support and we hope that the power of social media and everyone who loves Hillbark, can spread our message at this sad time, so please share this post with family and friends."

CCTV, forensic and witness enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Detective Inspector Laura Lamping said: "An investigation is underway following a burglary in the early hours of Sunday morning and I would ask anyone who may have information to please let us know.

"If you saw or heard any suspicious behaviour in the area, a vehicle leaving the scene in the early hours, have any CCTV or dashcam footage or have heard anything since the incident, please get in touch.

"To target a business in this way is unacceptable and we know it can cause great distress to the victims.

"We are determined to find those responsible and put them before the courts, so if you have any information at all, please contact us."

If you have any information on the burglary, please contact @MerPolCC, 101 quoting ref. or @CrimestoppersUK, anonymously on 0800 555 111.