A post box with “huge sentimental value” that was used to collect children’s Christmas wishes has been stolen from a garden near Faversham.

The distinctive red letter box replica was taken from the back of Katrina Connell’s home in Boughton Hill, Dunkirk, between Monday, June 10 and Friday, June 14.

Mother-of-two Mrs Connell, 54, has issued a plea to the thieves to return the box, which was used by the children of friends, family and neighbours to send Christmas and birthday wishes.

She said: “We used to live in a house with an inglenook fireplace, and our children used to send their wishes up the chimney for Father Christmas.

“When we moved to a house in Dunkirk without a fireplace, we bought the replica post box for this purpose. Our children are now grown up, but it was still used by nieces, nephews and local children.

“It had been out in the garden for three years without anything happening to it. It’s unpleasant to know someone has come into our garden and abused us like this.”

The metal post box weighs between 300 and 500kg, stands 4ft tall and is painted red and embossed with G VI R Post Office in gold lettering

Mrs Connell had also added a black plaque with the message: “Wishes are collected at twilight. All wishes are answered. Sometimes the answer is no.”

She fears it may have been stolen for its scrap metal value, or by a collector who thought it was worth more than it is.

She continued: “Original post boxes can fetch up to £4,000, but this is a replica. It’s not worth nearly that much.

“But it has huge sentimental value. When my mother was ill, my nieces and nephews put notes in the box wishing her better. It’s just a piece of metal, but it meant so much to us.

“It’s quite heavy so it would have needed at least two or three people to carry it. I just want to ask the thieves to please give it back.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Michael Kingwell on 07870 252158 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.