The thief who stole a handmade war memorial made to honour fallen soldiers has been urged to return it before Remembrance Day.

The design is one of five ornaments created to honour the fallen soldiers of World War One and was stolen from the corner of the A3052 and Woolbrook Road.

Police say the item was taken between 5pm last Thursday (October 4) and 2pm Monday (October 8) and is described as a hat on a rifle made out of tin

The commemoration was a project of Sidmouth in Bloom with help from Sidvale Metal Craft and was first installed in July.

The group are appealing for it to be reinstated before November 11.

Christopher Holland, clerk for Sidmouth Town Council, said: “Whoever this person is, old or young, it doesn’t matter how old they are, I hope they never had someone who served in World War One, World War Two or any conflicts that served in the forces they are going to be looking down at them very disappointed.

“They would have gone to a lot of effort to take it away. If someone comes across it in a gully, ditch or even a bin, we would like to hear about it.”

Police are asking anyone with information should email 101@dc.police.uk quoting the crime reference CR 092999/18. Or contact Sidmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council or Devon County Council.