AN APPEAL has been issued to locate the whereabouts of a distinctive German letterbox which has gone missing from the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton.

The white, metal box is around 18 inches square and has stood in the museum in West Street for more than a decade.

There are hundreds of letterboxes all over Dartmoor and the one at the museum is particularly popular, said museum curator Maurie Webber, who has been sorting out her stock over the last couple of months ready for this year's opening.

'I have searched around every nook and cranny but can't find it. We have been closed since Christmas so it must have gone missing sometime between then and now.

'There is no sign of a break-in but I have been here sorting out and had the door open so someone may have seen the opportunity and taken it.

'It's a great loss for us because people come in and ask to see it. It is about 30 years old and has a much bigger letterbox stamp than usual.'

Maurie said she did not believe the letterbox was particularly valuable but was very sentimental to the museum.

Anyone who has any information should call her on 01837 52295.