NELLIE the Gargrave pink elephant, kidnapped two weeks ago, is alive and well and believed to be beside the seaside.

Nellie, one of the pink elephants responsible for advertising forthcoming events in and around the village, disappeared from the roadside near the Bull Inn at Broughton.

Owners Linda and Mike Hartell-Payne, of the Dalesman Caf in Gargrave, feared she had been stolen. They phoned the police who logged the incident, but didn't hold much hope in getting her back.

However, this week an anonymous letter arrived at the caf with a photograph showing the elusive plywood runaway enjoying a spot of west coast sea air.

The picture shows the four footed fugitive posing on a promenade with the beach, sea and boats in the background. At her feet there is a picnic and rucksack.

Above Nellie a lifebelt bears the faint words "Lancaster" so Linda and Mike assume she is staying near Morecambe.

The couple said they thought the picture and letter was hilarious and have gone along with the humour.

"It's obviously someone who knows Gargrave because they have put the Dalesman Caf as 2 West Street and we never use that address.

"They obviously know me too because they called us the 'Dalesman Caff'. Anyone who knows me would know I would go mad if it wasn't spelt properly with an acute accent over the 'e' of the caf," said Linda.

The couple obviously hope Nellie will just appear on their doorstep again. After all, she has work to do advertising the fact that Gargrave and the surrounding villages are still open despite the roadworks on the A65.

"If she doesn't come back, perhaps she would write again or at least make a trunk call," added Linda.