CHEEKY thieves have stolen four of the new benches on St Annes Promenade -- just two weeks after they were installed.

The bolted-down benches were taken from the same area -- opposite St Annes boating pool and bandstand -- on the same night.

The cast iron, decorative benches were part of a set of 90 which had been bolted to the promenade as part of the newly completed restoration work by Fylde Borough Council.

The £63,500 scheme was substantially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and includes restoration of the ornamental fountains.

Chairman of the council's tourism and leisure committee Coun John Longstaff said the theft was despicable.

He added: "We are making significant improvements to the promenade with the help of Lottery funds and I am amazed that thieves can just come along and ruin this work.

"These benches are extremely heavy and bolted down so it is clear that the thieves were well equipped to remove them. I hope that anyone overlooking the promenade or passing by would report any suspicious situations to avoid similar incidents."

The distinctive Victorian style benches have cast iron ends, featuring the words St Annes-on-Sea, and wooden slats.

If anyone is offered a bench for sale matching this description, or if they see any suspicious activity on the promenade, they should contact St Annes police on 293933 quoting crime reference number 124 WQ.