A MODEL bear stolen from outside a barber shop and held to ransom has been reunited with its owner.

Dennis Pratley, 63, found the 5ft bear was missing from outside his salon in Hertford Street, East Oxford, on Thursday.

Just hours later, a note was pushed through his letterbox demanding a £100 donation to charity if he wanted to see the stuffed animal again.

He paid the money to nearby SS Mary and John Primary School after a second note naming it as the charity he should support. Mr Pratley said the animal had been found outside the shop with a note pinned to its chest at 8.20am today.

He said: “He is a bit bedraggled — he has lost a bit of weight and is a little bit wet, but he’s home now.

“I have no idea who would’ve taken him but I’m just glad he’s back.”

Mr Pratley is hoping children from the school will help him pick a suitable name for the previously anonymous bear.

Pip Murray, headteacher at SS Mary and John, said she was pleased the bear had been safely returned – and said the school would be returning the ransom money.

She added: “The matter is now in the hands of the police who will be returning the ransom money to Mr Pratley for us. We are very concerned that anyone should consider involving the school in this kind of prank. Mr Pratley has always been a good friend of the school and I am sure the children will enjoy naming his bear.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.