Residents have rallied after a community book box in Seddons Farm, which was first put in place during the pandemic, was stolen.

The book box, which was located on Freckleton Drive, went missing on Friday, June 9 after being put on show during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

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Resident Rebecca Heywood set up the facility, which was enjoyed by neighbours.

She said: “I set up the book box during Covid when libraries and shops all closed.

“It was just at the end of the drive with hand sanitiser, masks and a sign to let people know what we’re doing.

“It was well received and at one point we had boxes with adult books, children’s books and jigsaw puzzles that people had been donating and swapping over when they had finished.

“After Covid I was planning on closing it down, however, so many people asked me to keep it going so we did.

“On one occasion we found some of the books had been ripped up overnight and thrown down the street but that was the only issue we have ever had until it went missing at the weekend.

“It is a shame when people ruin things, especially because this has been going on for years now.”

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But residents have united following the theft and a new box has since been put in place.

And in just three days the box is already full again with donations.

Many residents said that they loved using the box during lockdown and that it is a great addition to the area.

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Rebecca added: “It was a bit upsetting to see that the box with all the books had gone missing overnight and I didn't plan on buying another box and restarting it because I was quite annoyed that it had been taken so I put a post up to let people know.

“Since then, so many people responded offering to donate books and asking to keep it going.

“I put an empty box out on Sunday and by Monday lunchtime it was full, and someone has made me a sign for the top of it too.

“I've had to go out and buy a second box too because we have had so much interest and so many donations.

“I have been blown away and want to thank the kind community I live in who make doing things like this possible.

“We don't know if it was taken by mistake or not, but I hope we can get this one back up and running again for everyone to enjoy.”

If you have any information about the theft, contact police on 101.

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