Sidmouth’s Royal British Legion chairman said it was ‘bloody horrible’ to see that the Union Flag had been stolen from the town’s Conservative club.

Army veteran Dave O’Connor said: “You can imagine my feeling – I was walking down there and the flag was gone. I felt really sick. Whoever did this, if they did put the flag up, I would hope that their neighbours would report it as soon as possible.”

He added that the club’s last flag was in ‘rags’, so the legion loaned it one to fly for last year’s Remembrance services. Earlier this year, a resident donated a replacement to be flown in time for VE Day – but it was stolen early on Saturday morning along with the halyard, a rope for the flagpole.

Club chairman Sonya Cowley said: “It was upsetting because it was a gift from a member. You can’t leave anything alone.”