This is the bizarre moment a group broke into an aristocrat's £3.5 million estate in broad daylight - just to take photos and sit on his furniture.

The break-in happened at Grade II* listed Maunsel House in Bridgwater, Somerset, between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday (August 24).

It came shortly after the 13-bedroom property, thought to date from the late 14th century and believed to be where Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales, was listed for sale.

CCTV captured the group - consisting of four men and one woman - as they wandered around a large reception room and took photos of the interior.

None are wearing masks or trying to conceal their identity - and one even takes a moment to relax on a red velvet sofa.

Sir Benjamin Slade, 79, who owns the historic estate, said he felt "violated" when he saw the footage - and had been left "gutted" by the incident. "

But while the group had caused a "couple hundred pounds worth of damage", Sir Benjamin said they had stolen nothing of value - despite having the opportunity to do so. "

He said: "They left their fingerprints everywhere and there were a few breakages - but they only ran off with a few small items. "

"They were trinkets, really. For instance, they ran off with a key to the back door. "

"It was as if they were collecting souvenirs. "

"But to see this footage of them abusing all of your things. I feel violated. "

"I've already got a lot going on at the moment - I haven't been well. So I have been left completely gutted." "

The CCTV also captured two of the men using a ladder to enter the property - again with no attempt to conceal their identity.

In fact, the group appeared to be aware there were cameras - with one clip showing a man dislodging one.

Sir Benjamin added that some of the cameras were broken during the incident.

Just a day after the first break-in, at around 9pm on Monday (August 25), a man again tried to force entry into the mansion - but was "scared off" by someone who had been inside the property at the time. "

Sir Benjamin said it is unclear if he was part of the same group of offenders.

However, he has been left concerned that something similar will happen again - and so is sharing the footage in the hopes of "warding off" the group. "

Sir Benjamin said: "The police are looking for these people and we have very clear footage of them rampaging around. "

"I imagine they're going around the country doing this. The menaces... "

"But hopefully by sharing this we can ward them off and stop them doing it again to someone else."

Avon and Somerset Police said: "We received a report of a burglary at a property near North Newton at around 8pm on Sunday 24 August."

"The caller reported seeing five people, one woman and four men, enter the property on CCTV between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on the same day."

"It was also reported that two CCTV cameras, China, and picture frames inside the property were damaged, and a key and various other items were also taken."

"The people seen on CCTV have been described as; a white woman, between the ages of 35 and 40, of large build, with blonde hair in a ponytail, around 5ft 9in, who is wearing a grey T-shirt with the word ‘Fearless' and black trousers."

"The second person is described as a white male, between the ages of 35 and 40, with receding brown hair, around 5ft 10in of athletic build, who was wearing a white T-shirt and a rucksack."

"The third person is described a white male, between the ages of 30 and 35, of large build, with brown hair in a buzz cut style, around 5ft 10in, who was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans."

"The fourth person is described as a white male, between the ages of 25 and 30, of slim build, with ginger hair, around 6ft tall, who was wearing glasses, a grey T-shirt, black trousers and black shoes."

"The fifth person is described as a white male, around 35 years old, of athletic build, around 5ft 10in, with a brown goatee who was wearing a dark T-shirt, white cargo trousers and a black hat."

"We have carried out CCTV enquiries, have taken fingerprints from the scene and have given residents crime prevention advice on what has been a distressing incident."

"We are now appealing to members of the public to come forward if they saw or heard anything suspicion in the area at the time of the incident, or who saw a group of people in the area matching the descriptions above, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 5225239355, or complete our online appeals form."