Police were today hunting a thief who stole a toy car from a children's merry-go-round.

The thief will find the bright pink Barbie Beetle has no steering or power and can therefore only travel in a straight line, if pushed.

The fibreglass car, which is 4ft long and around 2ft 6in wide, was stolen from a fairground in County Durham early on Tuesday.

The Barbie Beetle was part of a dozen carriages fixed to the carousel, which had been used over the weekend at Stanhope Fair.

The thief struck while the ride's owner was dismantling equipment from where it had been based on Front Street.

When he noticed the vehicle was missing the owner searched the immediate area and could not find any trace of the brightly coloured beetle. He is offering a £500 reward for its safe return.

The Barbie Beetle, which is valued at £3,000, carries registration plates with the words ''leshon'' on the front and back.

A Durham Police spokesman said: ''The wheels of the car go round but it has no power or steering of its own.

''Therefore even if it has been stolen by something thinking it would make a gift for a young child it would only be able to travel in a straight line.

''Although the car can be lifted from the ride by a single person police think the thief almost certainly had another vehicle nearby on standby to place the Barbie Beetle and drive off.'' Police are appealing for witnesses.