A rare 1960s boat was stolen and destroyed in a blaze set by joyriders on a stretch of Thames near Teddington earlier this month.

The owner of the vessel is now appealing for anyone with information on this to contact him, following the incident on August 3.

His boat, Puffin, was stolen from its mooring between Twickenham's Eel Pie Island and Radnor Gardens that Tuesday at some time between 4am and 6.30am.

The London Fire Brigade arrived shortly after 7am, and the fire was put out by 8.30am.

Puffin's owner initially thought there had been an electrical fire.

But kayakers from Richmond Canoe Club said they saw the boat being driven up and down the river before it was set alight.

The Club members reported seeing the boat driving aimlessly.

This stuck out to them as unusual because at that time of morning any boats on the river tend to go in one direction, due to Richmond Lock being open.

The joyriders tied Puffin back onto the resident's pontoon, before setting the boat on fire and leaving.

According to eyewitnesses they left in a plastic kayak and Puffin was not properly attached to the pontoon when fire crews arrived.

The wreck was salvaged later that day by expert local marine contractor Pat Walsh Ltd.

If you think you saw the boat that morning or have any information about the incident, please contact [email protected]

Details of the boat

Puffin was a traditional British-build wooden boat built in 1962.

It had been well maintained and was in unusually good condition for its age.

Puffin was built by Fox's Marine Ipswich with a Mahogany on Oak Frame, originally as an open launch.

The cockpit and the rear canopy were added later.

The boat spent most of its life in West Mersey and the Norfolk Broads and has been in Twickenham for the past four years, arriving in Spring 2017.