POLICE in Buckfastleigh are on the look-out for a stolen Inspector Morse-style maroon Jaguar.

The £4,000 car, similar to the one used by John Thaw in the famous television detective series, was stolen from Weir Farm near the town between August 21 and 28.

Thieves broke into a barn where the classic car was kept, got into the vehicle and pushed it down the lane to the road.

In a bizarre twist worthy of a Morse mystery, police say the culprits called a recovery vehicle and the car was then dropped at an undisclosed location, in a rural part of the Kingsteignton area. It has not been seen since.

A police spokesman said: "Police are appealing for anyone who may have been approached and offered the car, which has the registration mark DLK810C, or who has any information whatsoever to please call us."

Contact police on 08452 777 444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference JS/10/852.