A mannequin called Bert who has delighted thousands of passers by with his fancy dress has been stolen.
Bert was dressed as Donald Trump when he was taken on Sunday from his front garden, where owner Val Gutteridge, 89, has dressed him and his dummy wife Gladys in a variety of costumes for the last four years.
He was last seen in a trolley in Eastbourne town centre on Sunday night, a few hours after he was taken from the garden in Seaside.
Val’s daughter Karen Elliot, who lives with her, said: My mother started putting Bert and his partner Gladys in our front garden Christmas 2020.
“There was a shout out to decorate your window for Christmas but mum said we can do better than that.
“Mum takes a lot of pleasure thinking of topical ways to dress Bert and Gladys. They have become a local landmark and are photographed many times.”
Karen said Bert was taken by someone in a red van at about 5pm on Sunday evening. He was later photographed in the town centre without his Trump mask.
She is now appealing for his safe return. Gladys has been temporarily moved to the safety of the shed.
If you have any information about Bert’s whereabouts, email editor@sussexonlinenews.co.uk.
