Appeal after banners vanish from Shropshire roadside

Staff at Stiperstones Primary School are shocked and baffled that the banners, created to advertise this month's "Bioblitz" family wildlife discovery day, have been taken, and are appealing for their return.

The seven handmade banners, created by the children with a local artist, have disappeared from the roadside at Ploxgreen, near Minsterley, as they were hung out to dry next to the A488 main road from Shrewsbury to Bishop's Castle.

The banners put out on Thursday, were made to publicise the Great Stiperstones Bioblitz, an event where families will record as many species as possible on the Stiperstones in 24 hours between August 22 and 23.

They had been created at a wildlife-themed workshop, lovingly painted by the children using stencils made from their drawings of the bugs and plants that they spotted on a wildlife discovery day on the Stiperstones Nature Reserve.

While the banners were out on display, they had not yet been fully unveiled as they were still drying. They were found to have gone on Friday evening.

Artist Kate Johnston, who worked with the children to create the banners, said: "It is such a shame as the children did not even get to see the finished banners as we used a masking technique which meant the paint had to dry before the images where revealed.

"They were only up for one afternoon before they disappeared. I do not understand why anyone would want to take them.

"Only one of the banners had the Bioblitz information on and the intention was for them to be displayed at the school and other local events.

"The police at Bishop's Castle have made some initial inquiries but they have not yet been found.

"It is possible that a well-meaning member of the community has taken them down, as they may have blown over in the wind or they felt they were causing an obstruction of the junction."

If anyone has any information they should contact Bishop's Castle police on 101 or email bccar.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk