The owner of a mobile fish and chip van who had around 20 of his advertising signs stolen and dumped in a field, is reticent to put them back on display for fear of the same thing happening again.

Daniel Walters set up The Cornish Codfather about six months ago and has been building up a steady trade and believes a rival fish and chip provider could be behind the sabotage.

The sandwich boards had been tied to lamp-posts and the like in Constantine, Mabe, Mylor Bridge, Mawnan Smith, Budock Water and Penryn and were all stolen within a day. They were subsequently found by someone walking their dog, having been dumped together “in the middle of nowhere” in Constantine.

“It wasn’t just a case of kids stealing them,” said Daniel, “someone went around and cut all the ropes. I have got them all back, but I’m afraid to put them out again in case it happens again.

“It is affecting my business, though, because if I don’t have the signs out people don’t know when I am going to be there. I think I know who is responsible, someone who doesn’t like new competition.”