A UNION Jack flag flying at half-mast as a mark of respect following the death of Princess Margaret has been stolen from the churchyard at Horrabridge.
The Rev Colin Furness has described the theft as insensitive, and appealed to the thieves to drop the flag back at the church or the rectory.
The 4ft by 3ft cotton flag was taken from a flagpole behind a hedge in front of St John the Baptist Church, in Station Road, Horrabridge a fortnight ago.
'We have put adverts around the village, but so far to no avail,' said Mr Furness. He conceded that as time went on, it seemed less and less likely someone was going to return the flag.
'I imagine it was taken as a prank, I can't imagine a flag has much value to anyone,' he added.
Mr Furness said he had been shocked by the theft because it was the first time something like this had happened in the 13 years he had been in Horrabridge. 'We have had very few problems, people in the village are very respectful of the church.'
The flag had been flying at half mast at the time it was stolen, as a mark of respect after the death of Princess Margaret.
Anyone with any information on the theft, which took place sometime between 8.30pm on Wednesday, February 13, and 9am on Thursday, February 14, should contact Tavistock police on 08705 777444 quoting ref JT02108.