Snatch and grab motorbike thieves have made off with a novel festive takeaway from a town centre restaurant in broad daylight.

The daring duo fled with a 6ft nutcracker model soldier which stood on guard at the Nucleus fine-dining venue in Rainham High Street.

As customers tucked into their Christmas treats on Friday lunchtime, the 40kg military minstrel was whisked away along the busy A2, narrowly missing passing cars in the getaway.

Police have been called in to crack the case and the owner Aaron Sergejenkovs Telford has issued an appeal for the safe return of Istvan, named after the member of staff who tends to him.

Still awol after three days, Aaron is considering offering a reward.

Meanwhile, he has ordered a replacement costing about £400 for the Christmas display to accompany Istvan’s companion Roland.

Sightings have been reported in the town including near Rainham School for Girls in Derwent Way and in Nursery Road after the 10-second snatch.

A driver, whose vehicle was almost hit by the culprits as they rode along the High Street, reported his encounter to staff who were blissfully unaware of the drama.

Aaron, who opened his latest Nucleus eatery and gallery in October, said: “We’ve been broken into before, but nothing like this.

“It has surprised us. We’d like to think he’s just been borrowed.”

He posted: “Such a shame today a pair of young gents pinched one of our nutcrackers from outside of Cafe Nucleus Rainham.

“We have the whole event, including images of the motorcycle and the culprits' faces, on camera. We really would just like the nutcracker back.

“If you have any information please feel free to call us on 01634 406971. We are passing the CCTV to the police shortly.

“It’s a shame for us as we in our other sites through the Medway Towns have never had this.”

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police received a report of a theft of a decorative Christmas statue outside a shop in Rainham High Street at 1.35pm on Friday, December 8. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Aaron, who went to school and used to live in Rainham, and his partner Sergejs Sergejenkovs, had been looking at properties in the area for years before taking over the former solicitors’ office last year.

The venue was opened in October this year after a £400,000 refurbishment.

It includes a fine-dining area and wall of 2,000 selected wines.