A NAPOLEONIC-era cannon, reported stolen from Pembroke Dock, has now been returned home none the worse for wear, thanks to a local police officer.

Late last week, police appealed for information following the theft of the cannon, some time on March 21, from the former Cleddau Bridge Hotel, Essex Road, Llanion.

The cannon, one of two dug up from the ground at Hobbs Point and later restored, used to stand outside Llanion Park, the former offices of South Pembrokeshire District Council, now the home of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

It passed to the ownership of Pembrokeshire County council after the 1996 local government reorganisation, and was later, controversially, moved to the now-defunct hotel site.

The theft was reported to police last week by local county councillor Joshua Beynon.

Posting on Facebook today, March 28, Cllr Beynon welcomed the cannon’s return to the hotel site: “A big massive thank you to PCSO Nadia Lloyd for helping to facilitate the return of the cannon to the Cleddau Bridge Hotel grounds.

“Anyone who knows Nadia, knows she is extremely helpful and I cannot thank her enough.

“This is a piece of Pembroke Dock’s history and I am pleased to see it back.”

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: ““Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that an ancient canon was stolen from outside the Cleddau Hotel, in Essex Road, Pembroke Dock, on Thursday, March 21.

“An investigation began, and on March 22 a public appeal for information was made.

“During house-to-house enquiries PCSO Nadia Lloyd received information that the person who took the canon believed they had done so legitimately.

“Arrangements were made for the return of the cannon, and it has now been given back. No further police action will be taken.”