It was discovered in an auction room in Newbury in Berkshire and will be sold on 18 September if it is not claimed.

The painting entitled Landscape was stolen in 1990 from a house in Chichester but because police records only go back to 1991 the owner cannot be found.

Sussex Police are now desperately appealing for the rightful owner to come forward before the treasure is sold.

The work by Sir Alfred East was one of a number of paintings stolen from a private home in Chichester in April or June 1990.

It is believed the picture could be sold for thousands of pounds at the auction.