THE owners of a rare vintage boat fear it has been stolen in southern Oxfordshire.

Their hand built 1964 model, called the Flying Broom, has reportedly been sighted in the Wallingford area with a couple on board.

The Broom Javelin vessel, worth about £5,000 and built by John Broom, was moored in Dorchester-on-Thames two weeks ago.

Joint owner Alex Scott, 35, said: "We really loved using it as our family boat over the summer, our little child [who is one] loved the fake steering wheel on it and its great for going to pubs in the area.

"He shouts 'boat' every time he comes home from nursery now."

Mr Scott, who shares the boat with friend Mike Baker added: "We think the boat is heading south towards the Reading area."

In a Facebook plea which has been shared around 600 times, the pair say they will 'reward' anyone that can help.

Mr Baker added: “If someone told us where it was or just left it for us that would be fine.

“We were saving up for a trailer to put it on and so that was why it was still in the water.”

The pair say they have been told that it was seen near houses that back on to the Benson side of the river in Preston Crowmarsh, near the Wallingford boat house and in Benson.

The couple are described as being in their late 30s, one being a large man sporting short, brown hair and the other a blonde woman.

Have you seen the boat? Contact harrison.jones@newsquest.co.uk if so.