One of the first pubs in the country to be saved for its community by villagers has seen its prized possesions stolen overnight.
Managers at The Village Swan, Ivinghoe Aston, were devastated to find their hanging baskets and table lanterns, worth £500 altogether, stolen from the pergola at the side of the pub.
Sharon Buckland, who has been the manager since October alongside her partner Stephen Sanford, said: “I woke up this morning to find the most magnificent hanging baskets have been stolen.
“We have been trying to make it a pub that people would want to drive to from outside of the village into the country and for someone to take it away it is just horrible.
“It is not just about the cost but the hard work and time that has gone into them and for some one to just come and destroy that. We are devastated.”
The flowers, reaching four-foot in growth, had been planted in April to help attract outsiders of the village to visit the pub.
Sharon added: “The baskets transformed the pub beautifully; the colours were absolutely lovely.
“It is a shame that people have to spoil things like this.”
The Village Swan is now offering a reward of an evening meal and bottle of wine for information on the missing baskets.
“If anybody knows of anyone that has them or knows of their whereabouts please let us know.”
Contact The Village Swan on 01525 220544.