Whitby pub landlady's appeal over stolen 'mummy'

The mummy was installed to welcome visitors to the Whitby Goth Weekend, says landlady Maria Limbert

A pub landlady has said she wants her "mummy" back after it was stolen on Halloween.

The prop was taken from The Endeavour pub in Church Street, Whitby, at about 22:00 BST on 31 October.

Maria Limbert said it formed part of decorations staff rolled out for the biannual Whitby Goth Weekend.

As police released CCTV images of two people they were keen to speak to about the theft, the licensee said: "I want it back. It's very frustrating."

Police want to speak to these two people in connection with the theft from The Endeavour

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said a man was seen on CCTV picking up the mummy and running out.

A woman tried to get the man to bring it back, but he ran off, officers said.

The man was described as white, aged 20-25, of thin build with short blond hair and was wearing a black tuxedo.

The woman was of a similar age, of medium build, with long black hair and was wearing black clothing, according to police.

Ms Limbert said: "I had hoped the person who took it would bring it back, but that chance has long passed.

"Businesses go to a lot of effort for Whitby Goth Weekend and Halloween. Whitby doesn't do tacky."

The "mummy" was used to help decorate the pub for the Whitby Goth Weekend

Due to Halloween taking place a week after Whitby Goth Weekend, Ms Limbert said the mummy prop had been left out.

She said she had bought two of the mummies about five years ago from a couple who were retiring from the pub trade.

The Whitby Goth Weekend was inspired by the coastal town's association with Bram Stoker's gothic novel Dracula.

It began in 1994 as a one-off meeting of friends in The Elsinore pub, but is now held in April and October and attracts thousands of visitors.

Police said they wanted to speak to the two people caught on camera as they may have information that could help the investigation.

Anyone else with information about what happened was also urged to get in touch with North Yorkshire Police.

Thousands of people flock to the biannual Whitby Goth Weekend