A pensioner has issued an appeal for information after a distinctive model of an Easter Island statue was stolen from his garden.

The figure was being carved from Yorkshire Stone by Philip Doherty, who had hoped to enter it into this year’s Bingley Show.

Mr Doherty, of Priestthorpe Road, Bingley, who has won top prizes for his carvings at the show in previous years, said of the figure, based on the spectacular Pacific island statues: “It was heavy so would have taken two people to move it.

“I was just gutted when I discovered it was missing, I had been so pleased with it.

“Everybody who saw it said it was good.”

The statue, which was 2ft 6ins tall and 1ft wide, was taken overnight between Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the statue being taken as it would have been awkward to move it.

“Anyone offered it for sale is asked to contact police on 101.”