Shire horses Jim and Consul have had their harness stolen.

Thieves crept into the Hook Norton Brewery on Wednesday night and stole the equipment.

The brewery uses its horses to pull a dray for delivery in the local area and are also in demand for charity functions. They were to appear at St Katharine's Hospice in Adderbury this weekend.

Managing director of the brewery David Clarke said: "It was very disappointing because they play a major role in many fundraising events."

The harnesses, worth several thousand pounds, had the initials HNB stamped on them. Police are asking anybody who spots the equipment to call them.

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