A gang stole thousands of pounds worth of telephone cables and equipment in a daring heist raid - right under the noses of guests at Guy Ritchie's 40th birthday bash.

The burglars struck at a telephone exchange next door to Ritchie and Madonna's pub The Punchbowl in Mayfair.

As the director of films Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch celebrated with his wife and famous friends, the raiders bypassed a state-of-the-art security system.

One theory is that the gang used the arrival at 9pm of Ritchie and Madonna, surrounded by a crowd of photographersas a distraction.

A BT spokesman confirmed the theft took place between 8pm and 9pm last night - just as the celebrations started.

The haul, which is believed to be worth thousands of pounds, is thought to include high-tech cables, telephone cards and other equipment.

The raiders also caused considerable damage. Services to customers in Mayfair were interrupted and some users still could not use their phones today.

Guests at the Punchbowl included Trudie Styler, David Gest, Kate Moss's boyfriend Jamie Hince and stars of Ritchie's new film, RocknRolla. The couple's children, Lourdes, Rocco and David, left early.

Madonna, 50, who is performing at Wembley tonight, slipped out later on, leaving her husband to party and sing boisterously with his friends. Celebrations wound down at 4.30am.

A BT spokesman: "We can confirm that there was a breakin at our Mayfair telephone exchange last night. We are working with the police to investigate the incident."