THIEVES who stole an antique coffin carrier from outside the Vale home of its restorer are being urged to return the historic piece.

Douglas Rushton, from Honeybourne, was shocked when the wooden carrier, which belongs to the village's parish council, was taken from his front garden. Mr Rushton, who supervised the restoration after councillors asked the Probation Service for help, is now offering a reward for its safe return.

He said: "The coffin carrier was in a hell of a state so the parish council asked the Probation Service to help clean it up.

"The Almonry museum in Evesham was interested in having it at a later date. While we were doing the work we had use of a place to store it in, but it eventually ended up on my front garden, hidden from sight."

Two probationers spent around seven weeks painting and varnishing the carrier, which bears the messages 'Death Where Is Thy Sting' and 'Where Grave Thy Victory' in large lettering. They are anxious for it to be returned after its disappearance between October 11 and October 12.

Mr Rushton said: "I was pretty upset when I discovered the carrier had been taken because we had spent quite a bit of time on it. It belongs to Honeybourne Parish Council and I don't think they were too happy when I had to tell them it had gone missing.

"We think it's been stolen but I want to offer a reward. I can't see what use it (the carrier) is to anyone else, but it's an historic piece of equipment.

"The community service workers made a good job of it and they were quite upset when they heard it had gone because of the work they had put in."

Anyone who can help police with their inquires is urged to contact them on 01905 723000 quoting incident number 22CE91048P04.