Lifetime supply of crisps for return of stolen Postman Pat replica van

The stolen Postman Pat van ANL-160802-135652001

Ross Taylor, 38, is also offering £2,000 for the van that was stolen from an outbuilding on his farm last month.

Ross, who owns Corkers Crisps in Ely says everyone at the firm is “gutted” after the theft of the distinctive red vehicle - but in particular his 13-year-old son, William.

The crisp magnate realised the van - and the toy black and white cat inside it - was missing on January 31 having been shut away for the winter.

Ross said: “We’re all gutted by the theft and desperately want the vehicle back.

He bought the car from a specialist auction four years ago.

“I was always a massive fan of the show growing up as is my son so even though it was a total wreck we bid for it and got it for £800,” he said.

“We spent a fortune doing up the thing - I’d say it is worth around £5,000 or £6,000 now.

“We just want it back because we’ll never find another like it.”

The vehicle is based on a Honda quad bike engine and can carry two adults.

It is constructed from fibre glass and tin and is a fully driveable replica.

Ross said the vehicle, which had a toy cat inside it and an old air raid siren fitted to it, was well known not just in Cambridgeshire but across the whole of the UK.

He said: “My son drove the van around the farm all the time so he’s pretty devastated that it’s been stolen, but it was more than just a farm run-around.

“It was our promo vehicle - it came to shows and events across the UK with us.”

Ross said: “It’s light enough for two people to lift so they would’ve got away with it quite easily and quickly.

“I guess they put it onto the back of a truck or a van and then just drove off.

“I don’t think for one minute we’ll get it back but you never know.

“I’d urge everyone in the area to keep an eye out for it; it’s not as if you can miss it.”

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police said: “While Postman Pat is now struggling to deliver the post we feel confident that this distinctive vehicle will be recognised if it is seen out and about.”