Police are urging people to blow the whistle on thieves who stole a cardboard replica of England star Alan Shearer from McDonald's.

Two youths ran out of the restaurant in Colwell Drive, Abingdon, with the life-size cut-out of the England captain shortly after 5pm on Sunday.

Pursued by staff, they loaded the cut-out into a white Ford Escort van and drove off.

Police believe the theft may have been a harmless prank but say thieves have scored an own goal.

For the Shearer replica was going to be auctioned at the end of the World Cup to raise money for charity.

And while it may not have sold for quite as much as the £15m striker, interest expressed by customers suggests the transfer fee could have raised a considerable amount. Pc Ed Turner said: "We are appealing for whoever took the cut-out to bring it back. It may well have been a drunken prank and hopefully, when whoever took it realises their actions will lead to a worthy cause being deprived of cash, they will have a change of heart.

"If they don't, they run the risk of being arrested and taken to court."

McDonald's floor manager Simon Darby said: "We want our Alan Shearer back. The replica was advertising our Bacon Double promotion and these lads came in and just walked straight out with him.

"We tried to stop them but they were too quick for us. It's a shame because we were going to raffle Shearer for charity.

"It would be a dream come true if the real Alan Shearer could get us through to the World Cup final and we got our cardboard Shearer back."

Anyone with information should telephone Abingdon police on 01235 776617.

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