A TOUCHING tribute to soldiers killed in the First World War has been stolen, leaving its admirers devastated.

The new postbox topper, which was created by the 'Banksy if Leigh', was a knitted tribute to fallen soldiers.

Created by Linda Catling, the artist made a name for herself by dressing the postbox outside her home in Marine Parade in knitted hats.

Throughout the year, Linda has made numerous toppers and recently decided to create a Remembrance Day themed topper in time for the commemorations.

The topper showed the outline of a a soldier’s head and shoulders, and is covered in both paper and knitted poppies.

It also included a purple poppy and horse to remember the animals killed during the the First World War.

It took Linda, 75, three weeks to knit and complete.

But, since being perched on a postbox outside her home on November 1, the knitted topper is now missing with Linda saying it has been stolen.

She said: "Out of the around 30 toppers I've made, the only other one which was stolen was my speed camera topper.

"To be honest, I'm amazed more haven't been stolen. I head a group outside late last night.

"People seem to be a lot more upset than I am but I guess I was half expecting it.

"Camera's are being installed by my neighbours and they're being kind enough to have one looking over the post box.

"I'm just so disappointed seeing as its Remembrance Day tomorrow.

"I'm trying to make another one in time. The Royal British Legion have said they might be able to give me some poppies I can pin to it."

Linda says she thinks the topper was taken at around 11pm on Friday.

She began making toppers during the first coronavirus lockdown to keep herself busy during the pandemic.

With sight in only one of her eyes, making each topper more remarkable as each takes extra effort from Linda.

Linda took to social media on Saturday to let people know and was shocked at the overwhelming reaction.

"I'm not going to let this deter me, you will not defeat me" she added.

"The community love them and I enjoy making them so I shall continue.

"I've been getting a lot of sympathy. I can't tell you the amount of swear words I've seen.

"Roughly around 500 people have responded since I put the post up with their disgust.

"There has been a lot of support so I have no intention of stopping."