Driving reward for stolen clock

The stolen clock has a 12in dial and was wall mounted

Volunteers who run a steam railway in Hampshire have offered anyone who can help them find their stolen station clock a chance to drive their train.

Thieves broke into Alresford railway station on 21 March and stole a John Walker Southern Railway clock.

The item is valued at around £1,000 and has the unique serial number 10566.

Mid Hants Railway is offering an advanced "footplate experience" on the Watercress Line to anyone with information leading to its return.

The line Line is operated by volunteers who run steam trains through a 10-mile (16km) stretch of the Hampshire countryside between Alresford and Alton stations.

It is one of the county's best known tourist attractions.

The stolen clock, which was wall mounted, has a 12in (30cm) dial and a Roman numeral display. In the centre of the dial are the letters SR.

Pc Brendan Moseley, from Hampshire police, said: "Because of its distinctive appearance and prominent serial number, it would be very difficult for anyone to sell on the clock.

"Likewise, someone must recognise it or perhaps seen it and knows who took it."