A seat installed in Richmond almost 100 years ago to mark Queen Victoria's golden jubilee was stolen and smashed up at the weekend.

Two other seats - part of an identical set of six at Burgage Pasture at Westfields - were vandalised in the incident on Saturday.

Police are investigating the theft and damage of the seats, which are a popular resting point on the coast-to-coast walk. They have already recovered bits from a van at Barton Lorry Park

The seats - installed along with 18 others in 1906 - have cast iron supports shaped in the form of a snake.

Local historian Mike Porter said they were an irreplaceable part of Richmond's heritage.

"I couldn't believe the extent of the damage. The seat had been broken up and the two cast-iron supports, with big stone foundation blocks attached, had been dragged across the grass to the road where the fence had been broken down, presumably so the bits could be loaded into a vehicle," he said.

"It seems the thieves may have been disturbed because two similar seats nearby had been uprooted and one had been damaged by a crowbar and then left."

The seats are positioned on high ground, giving spectacular views to the south and west over the River Swale valley.