ONE of the best known vans in south Essex has been stolen.

The classic Mini van, belonging to WJ Cooper & Son, a building maintenance and decorating business in North Road, Westcliff, has been a familiar sight since 1975.

The vehicle, registration number LPU 529P, has almost 180,000 miles on the clock.

It was stolen from outside boss Colin Cooper’s home in Barling Road, Barling, with tools worth £2,000 in the back.

Colin, 67, whose great grandfather William Joshua Cooper founded the family business in 1887, said: “I was upset, devastated and saddened when I got up and realised it had gone.

“I think it must have been stolen to order.”

Colin has long suspected it may have the longest continuous service of any commercial vehicle.

It was bought by his father Frederick on October 1, 1975, for £1,111. When he bought it, he part-exchanged the family’s old minivan for £37.80. Back then VAT was 8 per cent, road tax was £40 and car insurance was just £3.48 a year.

Its longest journey was to Bournemouth and back, and in almost 36 years it has only ever had a couple of scrapes.

Anyone with information about the theft, on Monday, March 28, can call PC Paul Lockyear at Southend police on 0300 3334444.