A knitted topper for a post box in Astley Bridge commemorating the upcoming Royal Jubilee has been stolen.

The post box is on Belmont Road in Astley Bridge, near to convenience store The Top Shop.

The topper is in the shape of the Imperial State Crown, the crown worn by The Queen on special occasions, with ‘70’ embroidered into it to mark 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

Cllr Hilary Fairclough of Astley Bridge spoke to The Bolton News about the theft.

She said: “It’s quite shocking isn’t it. The lady who did the toppers did one there and one on Andrew Lane.

“I put a thank you on Facebook to her, then the day after the one on Belmont Road had been stolen.”

She added: “We initially thought it was somebody having a bit of a mess about who just chucked it over the wall.

“But the area has been fully scrutinised and we can’t find it.”

Cllr Fairclough spoke on what she believes the culprit should now do.

She said: “I would say to them do the decent thing, bring it back. Whether you put it in a carrier bag and leave it nearby or surreptitiously put it back.

“In the end you can always right a situation and what people want more than anything is for it to be back where it should be.”

She also pondered about the motives of the act of theft, saying:

“Somebody has done this because they’re either anti-royal or can’t stand the area making itself look nice. It is just really sad, not much you can do about it.

“Lisa and Deb are hugely disappointed and probably feel like they don’t want to do anything ever again.”

Cllr Fairclough added: “This is a person who has given their life to the country, and people just want to celebrate that.”

READ: Bolton will mark the Platinum Jubilee Weekend in royal style

This comes as Bolton gears up for the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, with numerous events taking place over the course of the weekend.