FIVE?brightly coloured metal pheasants have been stolen from a pub in Farringdon.

Sitting on fence posts outside The Golden Pheasant, the sculptures were taken in the early hours of October 17.

Owner David Scholes, who has run the village pub with his wife Melanie for the past six years, bought the pheasants from a garden centre about 18 months ago.

“They cost £20 each and looked lovely on the fence posts,” he said. “I made sure they were secure by putting them on small platforms and using three-inch screws to hold them in place, so whoever took them must have used a hammer to prise them off. I didn’t hear a thing and neither did my neighbours.”

And he added: “It isn’t just my wife and myself missing the pheasants, but also our customers and people round here. They were a lovely feature but I am loathe to replace them in case they are stolen again.”

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of any of the metal pheasants should call David at the pub on on 01420 588255 or e-mail [email protected].