A KNAVE without heart has been blamed for the disappearance of the White Rabbit from the Alice in Wonderland family amusement park.

Intruders who broke into the characters' changing room at the complex in Merritown Lane, Hurn, sometime last week made off with the rabbit's head and body.

The theft was only discovered on Saturday when Alice and the Mad Hatter went to look for the White Rabbit to join them in the midday story-telling session for young visitors to the park.

With no rabbit - only his feet, waistcoat and trademark pocket watch were left behind - Alice called in the lion, last seen beating the unicorn all round town in Through the Looking Glass, to join the tea party.

Meanwhile, Alice in Wonderland park bosses are hopping mad over the loss of the cuddly character costume which could cost £1,200 to replace.

"Everyone might think it is very sad, but we are all really upset about it. Tears have been shed by one of the girls who plays him because he has been with the park a long time and we all know and love him," said park manager Sue Harmon-Smith.

And she appealed for the return of the White Rabbit or information leading to its recovery in time for the coming busy bank holiday.

"From next week until mid-September we will have characters on the park every day and so we are desperate to get our rabbit back," said Sue.

"We don't want to disappoint the thousands of visitors to the park over the Whitsun half term, so please help us get our white rabbit back."

First published: May 27