Badger Bar mascot Bertie reported stolen on Ambleside night out

The owner of a pub whose mascot was reported to have been stolen on a festive night out has issued a heartfelt plea for its safe return.

Staff from the Badger Bar in Rydal, in the Lake District, went to Ambleside pub the White Lion Hotel for their Christmas party on Monday, taking Bertie the Badger along “for a little trip out of the building”.

Badger Bar owner Paul Knowles said: “He had pride of place at the head of the table, he had his Christmas hat on and was covered in tinsel and had a great time.”

But when staff moved to a different room for a spot of karaoke, they took their eyes off him “for a few minutes” and were shocked and saddened to find he had disappeared in that time.

Cumbria Police has issued an appeal to trace the mascot, which it said held “great sentimental value to the owner”.

Mr Knowles said he did not want to see anyone arrested for Bertie’s disappearance, as long as he was returned “fit and healthy”.

He said: “If someone is feeling a little bit unsettled about having taken him on a little pub crawl around Ambleside then please bring him back, you can leave him in the hotel porch, we won’t take any further action.”

Mr Knowles said he did not know how long Bertie had been a fixture at the Badger Bar, but he believed it to be several decades.

He explained the pub changed its name about 50 years ago, when a badger sett was found in the woods behind the building, and staff found they could regularly feed the animals.

He said Bertie had “pride of place” on a shelf near the bar and customers loved having their picture taken with him.

“He’s an integral part of the building and the history,” he said.

Cumbria Police said Bertie’s disappearance was noticed at about 22:00 GMT and urged anyone with information to contact the force.

A spokesperson from Mitchells & Butlers, which operates the White Lion Hotel, said it would assist police with their inquiries.