DISPAIRING councillors have urged a thief to return its sunscreen dispenser after it was snatched from a beach. 

Manningtree Town Council put the sun cream dispenser on the beach, in Quay Street, earlier in the summer. 

It aimed to encourage people to use sun lotion while enjoying warm days by the waterfront. 

But callous crooks have snatched the dispenser leaving the back plate attached but broken. 

In a post on Facebook the council said: "We'd love our sunscreen dispenser back please.

"To whomever has stolen it, please kindly return it to any member of the council ASAP!!!

"There are hundreds of people who use our beach every week and now that the sun has come back out, and the holidays are in full swing, children in particular are in need of sunscreen protection.

"This is community asset provided free of charge by the council and it is a shame to see that it has been removed."

Manningtree mayor Michelle Taylor said she had been left disappointed by the theft. 

She added: “There are hundreds of people who use the beach daily, especially over the summer holidays, where children will be trying to enjoy the summer sun safely."