A French restaurant owner is appealing for the return of a distinctive wooden sign stolen from outside his premises.

The sign normally hangs from a 2.5-metre plaster model of a French chef outside Crepe Dentelle in Preston Street, Brighton.

The chef had only been on display outside the restaurant for one night, after travelling from Paris to Brighton, when the thieves struck.

The sign is varnished, painted and has Ouvert - French for open - written on it.

Owner Philippe Lelard is desperate to reunite the board with the chef. He said: "The chef and board were both made in France in the Sixties and are family heirlooms.

"My family has always been involved with restaurants and cooking and the chef with his board has long been a part of it. We are all very fond of him and call him Ren after my father.

"I was delighted when my family let me take him to Brighton and now this has happened.

"Apart from the fact the chef looks silly without the board, it is very upsetting as the model has a lot of sentimental value."

Mr Lelard said: "I am worried about telling my family what has happened because they are going to be angry and upset.

"I would ask people to keep an eye out for it. Although it is not worth a lot of money it means a great deal to me."

Mr Lelard said he would offer a free meal to anyone who finds the board.