SOME sparkle has been lost from Christmas for a little Tavistock girl this year — and all because some thief had the not so bright idea of stealing a figurine swan from the fairy lights in her garden.

The two foot high swan, with a yellow beak, was taken on Boxing Day evening from the illuminated display outside a bungalow in Chaucer Road, off Down Road.

Together with another swan, a penguin and a polar bear it made up sparkling display with a 'Swan Lake' theme.

Jayne and Mike Porter, are hoping that whoever took the swan figurine will show a little festive spirit and return it to them to restore their daughter Faye's belief in the magic of Christmas.

Her mum Jayne: 'I know these things happen but she's three years-old.

'How do you explain to her that someone has stolen her swan?

'She said to me "Mummy, why have people taken my swan. I don't understand?"

'It's quite quiet around here, with a lot of older residents and many have said how much they enjoyed the display. It's a real shame, it was really pretty.'

The thief dismantled two concrete hedgehogs, and took a lid off the electrical box before removing the swan.

The display, which Mike normally puts up, was erected by Jayne this year, with a little help of Faye and her sister Erin, aged 11, but the 'flown' swan has certainly put a dampener on the festive lights.

Jayne Porter on 07791 064304 would love to hear from anyone who can shed light on the missing swan and perhaps help to restore some magic back into a little girl's Christmas.