THIEVES stole a five-foot model bear from outside a barbers – and then demanded the owner donate £100 to a nearby school.

Dennis Pratley, 63, found the animal, worth £250, missing on Thursday.

But he was stunned hours later, when a note appeared through the door of his Hertford Street salon in East Oxford saying the bear was safe – but that he would only see it again if he gave £100 to a charity, named in a second note as SS Mary and John Primary School.

Mr Pratley, who lives in Littlemore and says he has no idea who the thieves are, paid the ransom and wants his bear back.

Last night he said: “I can’t believe it’s gone, it was so popular with the children. Youngsters at St John’s were running a competition to name it, so I have no doubt they will be very upset by this as well.”

Mr Pratley said headteacher Pip Murray was reluctant to take the money until he insisted. She was unavailable for comment.

Police said they were checking the ransom note for fingerprints and urged anyone with information to call 08458 505505.