VILLAGERS in Horrabridge are celebrating following the return of a special information board which was stolen overnight last Sunday.

The information sign, which was positioned opposite the Leaping Salmon, was erected last October to welcome people to the village. Christine Cunningham, who instigated the sign, said villagers had been ?very upset? at the theft.

?But the news it has been found is fantastic, wonderful! It?s great to have a happy ending,? she said. Many local artists had put their effort into the information board.

?We have become very attached to the sign and proud of it. It shows the good side of the village. The whole place is starting to look more attractive and the sign says we are proud of our village and have a lot to offer,? Ms Cunningham said.

?Whoever took it obviously had the right tools, as it was unscrewed and taken away. It would have taken two adults to lift it,? she explained.

A police spokesman said the sign was valued at £500 but would not have been of use to anyone else.

The sign, which was thought to be undamaged, was found on Tuesday morning behind the local newsagent?s shop, having appeared there overnight.

A more secure method of affixing it is now being investigated.