Croydon council has scrapped plans to display a futuristic model of the town in the Clocktower museum - because someone has stolen the 50p tower.

A light-fingered thief pilfered the scaled-down version of Croydon's most famous landmark - the NLA Tower - shortly before it was due to be put on show in the town's museum.

The theft has disappointed council staff who used the Expo model at a property exhibition in the south of France and more recently in the Whitgift shopping centre.

A town hall spokesman revealed part of the model was later found in Mint Walk.

CCTV cameras were pointed at the model and the film is being scrutinised by a team investigating the theft.

The council said it was keen to get a replacement model of the tower made and back on display as soon as possible. It also said it is drawing up plans for a more secure location when it returns.

  • Do you know where the missing model of the 50p building is? Call 020 8330 9554 with any information.