POLICE in Wiltshire are currently investigating the theft of a substantial amount of money which is believed to have been part of a Christmas thrift fund collected by the landlord of the Royal Oak Pub in Shrewton.

Additionally, police are investigating the disappearance of the landlord Malcolm Levesconte, 59, who was last seen at the pub on Sunday 9 December.

Police are aware that Mr Levesconte booked tickets and boarded a ferry at Portsmouth that evening bound for St Malo in France.

At this stage, officers are treating this as a criminal investigation but also as a missing person enquiry.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Levesconte is asked to contact Salisbury CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.

Anybody concerned about money they have paid in to the thrift club should contact the Royal Oak pub where their details will be recorded and passed to the police.