The paintings - Eel Pie House by Walter Scott, Lady Burton's Chapel by Albert Letchford and an oil painting of Twickenham Church, signed by John Constable but not believed to have been painted by him - were all stolen in December, it was revealed last week.

All three paintings, insured for a total of £11,600, were in storage when the thieves struck.

At the time the gallery was closed to the public for restoration work. Gallery staff secured exhibits in the gallery while the contractors were on site. Police believe the theft may be linked to a nationwide art-theft ring and have been following several leads.

Investigations are continuing and police have now released details of the theft after initially keeping the details under wraps.

Two of the paintings were part of a collection of art works bequeathed to Twickenham Borough Council by Mrs Nellie Ionides, who used to live next to Orleans House. The third was on loan from another gallery.

Mrs Ionides grandson, former Twickenham MP Toby Jessel, was only informed of the theft last month. He said: "I was naturally upset to hear that two of the paintings left by grandmother for the people of Twickenham had been stolen. Richmond upon Thames Council is in the position of trustee and custodian on behalf of the people of Twickenham. It is not obvious that the paintings are being particularly well looked after.

"The test of the security arrangements is whether there are any more thefts."

Security at the gallery was reviewed after the curator discovered the paintings were missing.

Crime prevention officers inspected the gallery and were satisfied with the security procedures. including the alarm system, which is approved by the Museums and Galleries Commission.

A full audit of the canvas and paper works held at the gallery was carried out in January and another audit will be conducted by Richmond Council, which funds the gallery, this month.

Councillor David Williams, leader of the council, said: "Naturally we are very concerned at any loss of this sort. This is an important collection of local paintings.

"We have inevitably reviewed all the security procedures at the gallery and are taking every reasonable step to ensure this does not happen again.

"We are still hopeful that the paintings will be returned."