A sticky-fingered thief has been caught on CCTV stealing a giant lollipop from outside a sweet shop on Valentine's Day - before handing it to his girlfriend and walking off.

The footage shows the couple walking hand-in-hand past the confectionery shop, before stopping at one of two four-foot high replicas of the sugary snacks.

The pair walk on but then the man tears another of the lollies from its stand and hands it to his partner as they stroll off down the street.

The crime happened on Valentine's Day at Salvina's Traditional English Sweets in Suffolk.

Owner Lawrence Stafrace said: "It's an absolute disgrace what's happened. We're a small business that provides for the community.

"People take photos of these lollipops and it's a landmark in the town."

In a message to the thieves, the 51-year-old added: "Bring back the lollipop and there will be no questions asked, and I will forgive you."

The lollipops are handmade using foam swimming floats rolled into a circle and glued to a plastic pole, then wrapped in cellophane.