A �50 reward has been put forward for the safe return of a boat stolen from Budleigh Salterton beach.

A �50 reward has been put forward for the safe return of a boat stolen from Budleigh Salterton beach.

The town's police are appealing for help tracing the 16-foot Bristol hull fibreglass day boat, which was stolen between July 13 and July 20. It was situated at the east end of the beach, near Marine Way, where it had been kept for nine years.

The boat is the third vessel to have been stolen from the beach this year and the police are keen to trace those responsible.

Annoyed owner Micheal Bland said: "I was considering selling it and by the day the prospective purchaser came over from Topsham to view it for the second time on Tuesday, July 22, it was gone.

"The boat has teak edging and four teak seats and was name L'Eclipse of Budleigh Salterton.

"It was so named because it was christened with a little Champagne, adorned with a naked mannequin on the prow, modestly draped with fish netting and launched to cheers on the day of the eclipse on Wednesday, August 11, 1999."

l If any member of the public has any information relating to the theft, please call 08452 777444 and quote crime reference number KE/09/2093.