A SUBSTANTIAL reward is being offered to find a stolen lighthouse lantern valued at mire than £1 million.

The historic Hartland Point Lighthouse lantern, dating from the 1800s and one of only three in the world, is believed to have been moved to the West Mercia area by the thieves.

A reward of up to £5,000 is now being offered by the charity Crimestoppers for information given to them exclusively and anonymously that leads to the return of the stolen lighthouse equipment and the conviction of those responsible.

The lantern was stolen during a three night crime spree last week in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

Mick Duthie, director of operations at the charity, said: “It’s so incredibly important for us to protect our precious heritage and that includes key historic structures such as lighthouses on our coastline. It’s sad to think that criminals have stolen vital equipment dating back to the 1800s - one of only three in the world.

READ MORE: Stolen £1 million lighthouse lantern 'believed to be in West Mercia

“Our charity is here to help and gives people the option of staying completely anonymous whilst doing the right thing. Every day, over a thousand people use our anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.

"We’ve kept our promise of anonymity to everyone who has trusted us since we began in the late 1980s.

“If you have information, please don’t stay silent but speak up - no matter how small you think that information may be, it could make all the difference. With your help, we can protect our treasured heritage.”

Crimestoppers add any information passed directly to police will not qualify for the £5,000 reward - with information passed to Crimestoppers using the untraceable anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org or through the 0800 555 111 freephone number able to qualify.