A charity organiser has appealed for the return of a banner stolen from railings in Farnham advertising a Christmas market that raises thousands of pounds for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

The banner, promoting the annual Christmas Market at St Thomas-on-The Bourne Church, disappeared from railings at the junction of Tilford Road and Menin Way last week.

Organiser Mo Cuthbert discovered it missing on Sunday, November 8, with plastic cable ties left scattered across the pavement.

She is now appealing for whoever removed the banner to return it to the church ahead of the fundraising event on Saturday, November 28.

Mo said: “The person who removed it left plastic ties all over the pavement, not the work of a socially responsible person.”

St Thomas Bourne Christmas Market Mayor
Guests at a previous Christmas market at St Thomas on the Bourne Church in South Farnham. (Mo Cuthbert)

She added: “We would so appreciate having the stolen one returned.”

The banner was designed and paid for by Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which relies on donations for around 75 percent of its funding.

The Christmas market has become a popular fixture in Farnham's festive calendar, raising more than £13,000 for the hospice last year.

Organisers hope to raise at least £10,000 again this year, with volunteers and local businesses supporting the event through stalls, raffle prizes and a silent auction.

Mo said the banners were an important way of promoting the market to local residents and were only displayed for three weeks before being removed immediately after the event.

The missing banner has not been reported to the police.

This year's Christmas market takes place at St Thomas-on-The Bourne Church on Saturday, November 28, from 10am to 2pm.

Farnham mayor Cllr Graham White and local MP Greg Stafford will officially open the event, which is sponsored by Andrew Lodge estate agents.

Anyone who has the missing banner is asked to return it to St Thomas-on-The Bourne Church, marked for the attention of Mo Cuthbert.