Townspeople have been taking advantage of a scheme that allows them to have their valuable items specially marked by police.

At an event at Morton Printers on Wednesday, some 20 bicycles had their owner's house number and postcode written on them in paint, and then lacquered for a permanent finish.

It takes the number of marked bicycles in the Horncastle area to around 200 since the initiative began earlier this year.

It means that when police do retrieve stolen items, they can return them to their owner more easily.

Police community support officer Nigel Wass said: "We must have up to 20 bicycles in store with no identification. If they do not get claimed within six months, they get sold.

"It's good for us, and it's good for the owner to get them marked up."

Smaller items, such as mobile phones, were being marked with an ultraviolet pen.

If you missed this event, more are planned between now and Christmas.

* Alternatively you can arrange for a home visit by calling PCSO Wass on 01522 53222 or e-mailing Nigel.wass@lincs.pnn.police.uk