A "HEARTLESS" thief has snatched an intricate postbox topper displayed at the head of Southend Pier.

The handmade creation was placed on the world's longest pleasure pier's postbox to mark the upcoming three-day Puppet Festival, running from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11.

Staff at the landmark are trawling through CCTV footage and urging visitors who may have seen anything suspicious to contact them, in an effort to get the "treasured" topper back.

A spokesman for the attraction shared: "We're saddened to share that the new Puppet Festival post box topper has been stolen.

"The pier managers are reviewing CCTV footage to try and identify the culprit. If anyone has any information about its whereabouts or saw anything suspicious, please contact us.

"Let's come together to help find and return this treasured topper in time for the Puppet Festival."

The theft has sparked outrage among visitors who took to the comments to express their anger.

One commented: "What is wrong with these heartless idiots who are spoiling it for others by stealing this, as a lot of time and effort goes into these post box toppers, I really hope it gets recovered!"

The Southend Pier postbox was reinstalled in 2016, after it disappeared following the 2005 fire. All postcards and letters sent are hand franked from "Southend Pier".

Themed postbox toppers are often added to celebrate upcoming events, like the Puppet Festival-inspired creation which was taken.