A ’LADY in a floppy hat’ is being sought in connection with a missing and much loved bunny called Bunny, lifelong companion of six-and-a-half year old Imogen.

Dad Mike Shail attended the Big Event in Ivybridge with his daughters on July 17. The family had a great time, but unfortunately lost Bunny, a Jellycat toy Imogen has had since birth.

Mike realised Bunny was missing as soon as they left the event. Returning, he spoke to some Air Cadets in attendance, who said they had passed the creature to a ’lady in  floppy hat’, who told them she was going to take it to the Watermark as lost property.

The family rushed to the Watermark, but found it closed. They have been frantically searching ever since, posting on Facebook and enquiring many times at the centre, but to no avail.

Mike said: ’Imogen carries Bunny everywhere with her, a total comfort and the first few nights she woke up in the middle of the night anxious about its whereabouts.

’It may be a lost cause, but Imogen still thinks Bunny will show up. She asked me to contact the police, and I explained they would be concerned if it was a person missing, but unfortunately not Bunny.

’But Imogen replied ’yes Dad, but Bunny is very special to me, so they might’.’

Mike, who described the toy as ’a very loved and quite tatty and smelly bunny’ added: ’Before the loss my wife made Bunny a new dress, a denim blue top and a blue/white polka skirt in preparation for a friend’s wedding. 

’The lady in the floppy hat may have just not been able to get to the Watermark for some reason, but we need Bunny back! Please...’If you can help reunite Bunny and Imogen, call Toby Leigh at the Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette on 01548 856353.