A member of Swanage Coastguard had more than £1,000 worth of specialist kit pinched from his washing line in a 'bizarre' theft.

Coastguard rescue officer, Jonny Ray has been left scratching his head after several items of white water kayaking gear went missing from his washing line in Corfe Castle during Tuesday (November 28) night.

"I'd hung the gear out on the line to dry and left it over night as it was still damp but when I went back in the morning, the whole lot had disappeared," he said.

Jonny added that despite taking everything on the line including his dirty socks and even his plastic laundry bucket, the thief had 'bizarrely' left an expensive sea kayak which was also in the garden.

"It's really odd and doesn't quite make sense - I mean some of the kit is quite valuable but who would want manky old socks?" he said.

Jonny added the gear was all highly specialised so would not be used for general purpose water sports and size extra large meaning it would fit few people.

"If it was marketable it would make sense, but it isn't which makes me think it's either a prank gone wrong or a grudge - but no one has a grudge against me that I'm aware of. It does seems a bit weird," he said.

Jonny said his back garden backs onto the village common but until now he had never had any problems.

He added the police had been informed and he had shared the theft on multiple social media pages and news platforms - but despite the public appeals he had heard 'nothing whatsoever' about his kit.

A statement from Swanage Coastguard said: "Many of the team have 'outdoors' type hobbies,  such as walking, cycling, climbing, kayaking, diving etc which is partly what makes them good Coastguards - the fact that they know the local terrain and understand the sports that go on here and the mishaps that can sometimes happen.

"So it was particularly frustrating today when one of our Coastguards discovered that a whole load of specialist kit had disappeared from his washing line where it had been drying.

"If you see or are offered any of the following paddle sports kit, please either let us or the police know."

Palm Torrent dry suit - blue XL

Black WRSI helmet with green visor

Red Peak River Guide Buoyance Aid with rescue kit and first aid kit in front pocket and cow's tail attached

Black Five Tennies paddle sports boots size 10

Whetman spray deck with RAY written on the grab loop

Palm neoprene socks (heaven knows why anyone would pinch those!)

Pink plastic tub