Five members of staff at Blenheim Palace have been dismissed following an investigation into allegations that employees were stealing money.

Last month it was reported that the Duke of Marlborough had asked detectives to investigate fears that employees had been systematically stealing money from the world-famous palace at Woodstock.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the palace said: "We can confirm that investigations have been concluded and five members of staff have been dismissed.

"The matter is closed and we are working on systems and procedures for next season."

The Oxford Mail reported last month that senior officials at the palace suspected that employees had pilfered millions of pounds in a scam rumoured to have started two decades ago.

One of the alleged methods of theft involved the use of money-off vouchers.

Two-for-one promotional vouchers from stately homes around England were allegedly passed at Blenheim, and cash to the value of a single entry ticket taken from tills.