Callous thieves steal kids' bouncy castle

Thieves broke into a locked yard and shed to take the £1,700 red-and-yellow inflatable from The Park on Badsley Moor Lane.

Manager Beth Louise said: “The loss of this is not just a blow to the pub but a massive loss to local families, too.

“We do lots of activities throughout the year, including a weekly kids’ club on a Sunday and charity fund-raisers.

“Last year we raised more than £1,500 for a number of charities including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“A lot of it was raised over our ‘fun weekends,’ when we had the bouncy castle out to keep the kids entertained.”

She added: “On Sunday we were icing cakes and making gingerbread men. But there’s no bouncy castle for them to enjoy anymore.

“I would urge anyone who knows anything to get in contact with the police and hopefully help us get it back.”

The pub invested in the bouncy castle last year after previously hiring one at £100 a day.

CCTV appears to show three men breaking padlocks to steal the heavy item and a pallet truck used by staff to move it around.

The incident happened shortly after 1am on April 5. The truck was found on Arnold Road the following day.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting C/30962/2013. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.