A COUPLE has offered to replace a stolen banner which celebrates Upton as one of the best places in the country to live.

Gemma Hobbs is printing a new banner for the town through her print company, Ocean Blue Graphics, which she runs with her husband, Blake.

The banner was located next to the junction between the A4104 and the B4211 in Upton, and was reportedly stolen on Thursday, June 22.

It was one of three purchased by Upton Business Association in conjunction with Taylor Wimpey after the town was named one of

The Sunday Times ‘best places to live 2017’ earlier this year.

Mrs Hobbs, aged 33, of School Lane, Upton, said: “We have lived in Upton for about two years. It’s a little town and there’s not much crime.

“For someone to take a banner which recognises something in Upton is really quite annoying.

“It would have cost over £100 for them to replace it.”

Police are investigating the theft and say they cannot understand why anyone would want to steal the banner.

Malvern Cops wrote on Twitter: “Upton SNT disappointingly reporting the theft of a banner promoting the town as The Sunday Times “Best Places to Live 2017.

“One of three purchased by the Upton Business Association in conjunction with Taylor Wimpey costing approx £100 #Why?”

Anyone with information can ring 101 quoting incident number 22CC/55274E/17.