RESIDENTS in Stanford-le-Hope have expressed their disappointment after someone removed a smile-raising jubileee feature created by a popular local youngster who has been left gutted by the theft.

Stanley Jackson has become something of a local hero for his great fundraising work to help local causes by creating and selling knitted items.

Among his big successes was a significant donation to the Poppy Appeal from the sale of woollen poppies.

In the run up to the coming Queen's Platinum Jubilee Stanley created a number of post box topppers, which brightened up the area and brought residents many a smile.

Now one of them has been stolen, causing him upset and the local community has expressed its disappointment with many messages on social media.

Hopefully, their concern will lift Stanley's disappointed mood, after he posted: "I'm so upset. I don't know why people can be so cruel and nasty. I just wanted to make people smile, I don't think I will make another one now."