Thieves stole more than £1,200 worth of traffic cones during this year’s Haworth 1940s Weekend.

Main Street trader, Nikki Carroll, said a handful of the cones had since been returned.

But she warned if the dozens still missing are not recovered, the cost of their loss will eat into the sum raised for charity.

The popular event, held earlier this month, was raising cash for the Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA), which had also taken the lead in organising the successful venture.

Mrs Carroll, who was one of the local organisers, said 161 traffic cones had been taken – a quarter of the total deployed to help control traffic during the weekend.

“On Saturday morning, when I opened my shop, there were four cones sat in front of the door,” she added. “But that leaves many more still missing.

“This is very disappointing. Every penny raised from the 1940s Weekend is in aid of SSAFA, offering lifelong support for our forces and their families – £1,200 would have provided so much to those in need.

“Each cone costs £7.50. They’re supplied to us free by a company in Retford called Traffic Management Services.

“They’ve been supplying them for the 1940s Weekend for the past few years as a goodwill gesture. But if so many have been lost, the cost will come out of SSAFA’s pocket.

“Every year we’re always a few cones down, but nothing like this.”

She said people who spot any of the cones should return them to the car park outside Bridgehouse Mills.

A Traffic Management Services spokesman stressed the firm did not blame the 1940s Weekend organisers for the missing cones, but added the business would still need to recover its costs.

She said: “We’ve tried to do something to help a charity, but because people have taken these cones, it will end up costing that charity, which isn’t fair.”

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