Lifetime's supply of crisps offered for return of stolen replica Postman Pat van and cat

A lifetime's supply of crisps or £2,000 is being offering for the safe return of a replica Postman Pat van. The van, owned by a Corkers Crisps, was taken late last month. Postman Pat's black and white cat was on board and is also missing. Ross Taylor, who owns the firm, based between Little Downham and Pymoor in Cambridgeshire, says everyone at the firm is "gutted" following the theft of the distinctive red vehicle. Thieves stole the van, and the toy black and white cat which was inside it, some time between January 17 and 31.



Ross is now so desperate to get the vehicle back that he is offering a £2,000 reward for its safe return – or a lifetime's supply of crisps - but he does not know how many crisps that might be. Ross said: "We're all gutted by the theft and desperately want the vehicle back. I bought the car, a 1972 William microcar, at a classic car auction four years ago. We paid £800 for it and my mechanic spent months and months restoring it. He fitted it with a Honda quad engine and it really is superb. I'd say it is worth around £5,000 or £6,000 now."



Ross said the vehicle, which came complete with a soft toy of Pat's cat Jess and an old air raid siren fitted to it for added affect, was well known not just in Cambridgeshire but across the whole of the UK. The vehicle was in an open outbuilding on the farm when it was stolen. Ross said: "It's light enough for two people to lift so they would've got away with it quite easily and quickly. I should say they put it onto the back of a truck or a van and then just drove off. I don't think for one minute we'll get it back but you never know.



"I'd urge everyone in the area to keep an eye out for it; it's not as if you can miss it." As an alternative to a £2,000 reward, anyone knowing the whereabouts of Postman Pat's van and cat could claim "a lifetime's supply of crisps". Asked how many bags constituted "a lifetime's supply", Mr Taylor said: "I have no idea. I just really want my car back." Police are urging anyone with any information to call them. Speaking on the Policing East Cambridgeshire Facebook page , a spokesman said: "While Postman Pat is now struggling to deliver the post we feel confident that this distinctive vehicle will be recognised if it is seen out and about."