A COMMUNITY film club has had its promotional banner stolen from the railings of a public park.

Torbay Film Club believes it has been hit by thieves after its four-metre wide banner (pictured below) was cut from the Victoria Park, Paignton, railings.

Emmeline Gee, club chairman, said the group, which has 50 members, felt particularly victimised because other banners remain in place.

She said: "The banner cost the club £80 and at the moment we can't afford to replace it.

"We have a new season starting on September 15 and we wanted to try to let as many people know about it as possible.

"We were going to display the banner in four locations across the Bay over the next month, and now we can't. It's a real blow to the club."

The last confirmed sighting of the banner was on August 18 when it was put up.

Mrs Gee added: "It was securely tied to the railings with cable ties, so there's no way it could have blown off in the wind. You would have needed a knife or scissors to take it down.

"It feels like it was premeditated because the banner was difficult to take down."

The club has been told by the council, which grants permission to display banners at Victoria Park, it was the first time any banner had been stolen from there.

Police have been informed of the theft and confirmed they have launched an inquiry.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of the banner is asked to either contact the police or email admin@torbayfilmclub.co.uk