Largs councillor Grace McLean has made a sentimental plea for the return of a historic plaque which appears to have been stolen from near the Pencil.

It was discovered last weekend that the sign, which was first installed on Largs Promenade for over 100 years, has now disappeared from the cairn next to the footpath.

And Grace, whose late husband Alex played an important role in the prom improvements as a coucnillor, has called for the plaque to be returned.

She said: “I have made the checks with North Ayrshire Council in case the plaque had been taken away for cleaning, or to get repaired, and this is not the case. It is so disappointing as this plaque is over 100 years old - and it is irreplaceable.

“That is less than a year that it has been in situ. I would like to make a plea to whoever has taken it to return it safely, post it through the ‘Yes’ shop letter box, or hand it in somewhere - or even just put it back. Obviously this has a strong connection with me as Alex was instrumental in bringing the new path to Largs, and it is very upsetting.” The police have also been notified about the missing plaque.

“We just want it back,” said Grace, “It looked difficult to dislodge as it had been built in with the concrete but it looks as if someone has managed to remove it.” The memorial had initially been taken away for safe-keeping during the £300,000 restoration works which included the widening of the path to include cycling and pedestrian access, with the council promising to restore it at another area near Bowen Craig, and was moved to its new home beside The Pencil in September 2014.

The plaque, which was installed on a mini-Pencil monument nearby its namesake, read: “This footpath was reconstructed by the Largs Visitors Club in 1906 - assisted by subscription from funds collected for the benefit of the unemployed.”