An historic clock, valued at about £300, has been stolen from the booking hall of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Police are hunting the thief who smashed through a wooden panel in the Oakworth station booking hall door and snatched the clock from above the open coal fireplace. The turn-of-the-century timepiece was made in Keighley. The name of the manufacturer, Jefferson & Son Keighley, is written across the face.

Railway Society chairman Graham Mitchell, says: "This was a professional job and I believe the clock was stolen to order by someone supplying the antique or railway curio trade. Nothing else in the station was taken, moved or even touched as far as we can tell. It will surface in the railway antique trade."

The clock is 16 inches in diameter and has roman numerals and the insignia across the face. The numerals V1 and X1 are scratched and more faded than from 1 to V. It has a black box surround and a lead home-made pendulum weight and a scratched glass face.

A Keighley police spokes-man says the thief was seen making his getaway in the early hours of Sunday morning by a neighbour who was alerted by the station alarm.

The thief is described as short and stocky. He drove off in a Japanese car. Anyone with information should telephone 01535 604261.

A thief stole a wallet belonging to a Silsden parish councillor who was helping put up the town's Christmas lights. Lawrence Walton - who organises the town's lights display - and his team of helpers were putting up the lights on Saturday.

He had left his wallet in the council chamber in the Town Hall but when he returned later in the day it had gone.

A spokesman for Keighley police says: "A person was seen walking out of the town hall from 1.45-2pm. He is described as white, aged 25-33, 6ft, slim, with short dark straight hair. He was wearing a blue anorak."

The wallet and a number of items were later found on a grass verge near the Aire Valley Trunk road, minus the £40 cash."

Anyone with information on either crime should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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