A three metre, light-up cherry tree, which stood in pride of place at the front of Fermoys Garden Centre in Ipplepen, Devon, has been stolen.

The tree had been placed at the front of the store to inspire customers over the festive season, and its theft has left members of staff devastated. Tweeting a picture of the tree, staff said, "Last night at 3.32am one of our most featured light up trees was stolen! It's not the value that counts, it's the fact it's a real Christmas piece of ours that we use to inspire people's imagination so if anybody finds or hears of a 3m cherry tree appearing please let us know."

The theft took place overnight on Friday, December 16, with two suspects caught on CCTV cameras removing the tree.

Fermoys garden centre Christmas manager Gavin Pughe said, "We looked back at CCTV over the hot tubs section of the centre and you can clearly see two people disconnect the tree and unbolt it from the ground before making off with it.

"We put it out with all of the lights to give a bit of enjoyment to our customers and help add a bit of Christmas atmosphere to the place - at night especially it looked really amazing.

"It was the first year we put the tree and the lights out last year, and everyone loved it, we got loads of good feedback from customers and people just driving by at night as you could see it from the road, now there's just nothing there and no lights, it's really sad.

"We really aren't worried about the value of it, it is simply that we put that tree out for everyone to enjoy - to do something like this is awful, hardly in the Christmas spirit."

Police are currently looking into the theft