A WOOLEN pirate meant to delight the public and celebrate Southend’s art scene has gone missing from a Westcliff post box.

A crocheted scene, which includes a pirate, parrot, treasure chest, jewels and spade, disappeared from the pillar box outside Chalkwell Train Station between 9.30am and 1.50pm yesterday.

The Benfleet-based Craft Club left four “yarnbombs” on post boxes across Leigh and Westcliff as part of the Southend Festival, which celebrates the town’s creativity during June, and Leigh Art Trail.

The group have appealed for the intricate cover, which took two months to crochet, to be returned.

Member Gabby Atkins, 38, of Thundersley, said: “We are just really upset because we put them out for people to enjoy.

“We have never had one taken before so it was a bit of a disappointment.

“It has ruined the fun for everyone.”

The group, who all work at the Appleton School, in Benfleet, are unsure if the yarnbomb has been stolen or if someone has taken it for a joke, so are yet to contact police.

Mrs Atkins asked the person responsible to put it back.