A REGULAR at a country pub has been snatched by thieves - leaving other punters devastated'.

Charlie - a male mute swan spent most of his time at the Golden Ball pub at Heaton with Oxcliffe and has been a big hit with customers since he arrived last October.

But on Saturday children were left in tears when two men came to the pub and bundled him into the back of their van.

Pub landlords Colin and Janet Rhoney were last night following up an anonymous tip-off that Charlie had been dumped in Carnforth.

"I was in the kitchen and the kids were outside feeding Charlie by the road. The next thing I knew two men had put Charlie in the back of the van and driven off," says Janet.

"I can't imagine why they have taken him, but I fear the worst.

"He is a great attraction here and he is so lovely and friendly. I just don't understand why they have taken him," she told the Citizen.

The pair, along with pub worker Alan Pickering, were due to travel to Carnforth last night (Wednesday) to try and find Charlie.

"We got a call saying someone had taken him for a joke and had left him on the canal. We can't leave him there as he has a mate who could start pining for him. He can't fly so we will have to pick him up," says Colin.

Charlie, who is thought to be about two-years-old, left his natural habitat on the banks of the River Lune last year and some days even knocked on the door of the pub with his beak to grab a snack.

Two men were seen outside the pub at about 5pm in a blue van. One of them is said to have grabbed the swan and put it in the van.

Anyone with information should call Lancaster police on 01524-63333 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.