A £1,000 cash reward has been put up for the safe return of one of Honiton’s missing Silent Soldier.

The tribute, which commemorates the sacrifices of soldiers in World War One was recently stolen - an incident which has shocked dignitaries and the town’s Royal British Legion.

Now, the Herald can reveal an anonymous resident in the town is offering £1,000 for the soldier’s safe return.

Councillor Caroline Kolek, who along with Honiton mayor Henry Brown and his deputy Duncan Sheridan Shaw, was approached by the resident, said: “The soldier must be returned by midnight Saturday, August 11, 2018 - either to its original location or outside The Beehive.

“The reward is withdrawn if any other Silent Soldiers go missing.

“Should it be found and no-one collects the reward, it will be donated to a local good cause, decided on by the mayor and deputy mayor.”

The life-sized silhouette of the troop was taken from its station next to the Honiton town sign opposite Aldi, on Turks Head Lane.