Three giant pencils which bear a closer resemblance to javelins than writing tools had art lovers writing messages to police after they were stolen.

Yet the five-foot long wooden pencils - made from fence posts - did not stay hidden for long after they were found with the help of social media.

The giant scribblers are part of an art installation used by the Weald of Kent Art Society to let members of the public know they have a show on.

Yet it emerged the pencils had been pilfered from outside Highbury Hall in Tenterden on Saturday.

The pencils - created by artists Kate Rundell and LeeLee Kock - were sitting in a pot alongside three big paintbrushes when they were stolen.

Posts were put on social media in an attempt to track them down - which proved a success, as the pencils were spotted around the town.

John Hamilton, vice chairman of the society, said: "We think it was a group of boys who came past and helped themselves. They were spotted using them as javelins.

"I found the pencils following all the fantastic leads we got from social media - they were sighted all over Tenterden, one in a school, one in a football field.

"We went around and got them back.

"They are damaged though - the points have been broken so now I will give them back to Kate so she can sharpen them again."

It is not yet known when the pencils will be put back in place.