“Thieves” who struck at a beloved Fife beauty spot have been unmasked as a band of community-spirited Rotarians.
Police chaired an investigation when a heavy metal bench was uprooted from its mountings on the banks of Birnie Loch.
Members of the public were urged to help trace the heartless culprits who had robbed nature lovers and weary dog walkers of a favourite resting spot.
It was suspected it had been taken for its scrap value.
But officers need have looked no further than those who gifted the seat to the nature reserve identified on its metal plaque.
Howe of Fife Rotary Club, which raises money for good causes at home and abroad, revealed that the bench had been removed by honorary member and blacksmith Dave Millar for repair.
And it was delighted to announce that it has now been replaced with a new and improved version.
Rotarian John Ewan explained: “After examining it, Dave found the bench to be in a state that was beyond repair.
“So he went ahead and very generously ordered a new one, complete with presentation plaque.”
A spokesman for police said: “We are glad this mystery has been solved and acted in good faith on reports that the bench had been stolen.
“Given the amount of metal theft, such as that of metal statues from war memorials, it is unfortunately conceivable that large and heavy metal structures such as this are being stolen.”
Four club members visited the loch, near Collessie, to give the replacement their “seat of approval and declared it “comfortable” and “very sturdy”.