ONE person has been arrested in connection with the theft of a matchstick model of Darlington's Covered Market.

The model was swiped from inside the market where it had been on display for several months after being brought out of the building’s cellars where it had lain neglected for years.

The theft happened at around 10am yesterday (Wednesday) morning and it is believed that the thief dropped a large cardboard box beside the model, left it for a while then returned to place the box over the model and steal it.

It was subsequently recovered

Darlington Police are examining CCTV footage of the incident.

The thief was a white man, over 6ft tall, in his mid 30s, and of a very slim build. He was wearing a light-coloured long-sleeved jumper and dark jeans, and had dark hair with a receding bald patch on his crown.

According to local folklore, the model was built by a German Prisoner of War although little is known of its origins for sure.

It had been in storage for several years but was re-discovered by acting market manager Albert Nowicki who ensured it was given a good clean before it was put on public display earlier this year.

Darlington’s town twinning group even took the model on a trip to Mulheim, in Germany, where it formed part of an exhibition about the town.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Council said: “Shortly before 10am on Wednesday the matchstick model of the market hall, old town hall and clock tower was stolen from its display stand in the market hall."