An investigation is underway after a 'chatty bench' was taken from a public park.

The bench is believed to have been stolen from Parr Fold Park in Walkden between the evening of Thursday August 24 and Friday August 25.

Chatty benches are installed across communities in a bid to encourage people to talk to each other and reduce loneliness.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “The bench had only been installed earlier in the month, and was the culmination of a year-long project that the Friends Of Parr Fold Park group had been working on.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing, but officers are continuing to seek information as to the whereabouts of the bench.”

“If you know anything, or have CCTV or dascham footage from the area during the time of the incident, please get in touch with officers.”

An image supplied by police shows the light brown wooden bench that has since been taken from Parr Fold Park.

No further details have been released about who may have been responsible for taking it.

Anyone with any information or further concerns about the theft of the bench can call police on 101 quoting crime reference number CRI/06FF/0025993/23.

Alternatively, witnesses can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.