Gold toilet stolen from birthplace of Winston Churchill

The toilet, work of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan had been installed only two days earlier at Blenheim Palace, west of London, after previously being shown at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Blenheim Palace: Thieves have stolen a solid gold toilet worth up to one million pounds (1.25 million US dollars) from the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The toilet, work of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan had been installed only two days earlier at Blenheim Palace, west of London, after previously being shown at the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Police said that the toilet was taken early on Saturday by thieves who used at least two vehicles to make off with it.

Because the golden toilet had been connected to the palace's plumbing system, police said that its removal caused 'significant damage and flooding' to the building, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with valuable art and furniture.

A 66-year-old man was arrested but hasn't been identified or charged.

Inspector Richard Nicholls of the local police force said that a thorough investigation was underway.

Blenheim Palace closed the building to the public on Saturday because of 'an unforeseen incident', and visitors were met with a 'No Entry' sign at the gate.

People who'd been hoping to tour the building reacted with astonishment to the theft.

"I can't believe there's a one million pound toilet that's been stolen," one visitor said. "All gold. I wanted to go on it."