Thieves have stolen four Victorian style Royal Mail post boxes from three villages in Breckland over one weekend.

Boxes in Ickburgh Road, Mundford, Lynn Road in Northwold and two in School Road in Foulden were taken by the thieves between 11am on Saturday, January 17, and 5pm on January 19.

The thefts leave villagers leaving a long walk or drive to their nearest post box, with some several miles away.

Stefan Eyres, chairman of Mundford Parish Council, said the thefts would cause problems for older residents.

'The people in that area will have quite a walk now and if you are elderly that's a major inconvenience,' he said.

Mr Eyres added that a recent traffic survey by the parish council showed that 10,000 cars passed down Ickburgh Road each day, raising suspicions that the thefts must have been carried out at night.

Norfolk Police officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed these thefts or anyone with further information and are asked to contact officers at Thetford Police Station on 101, or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A spokesman for the Royal Mail confirmed the boxes had been stolen and urged the public to contact police if they had information.