Sheep rustlers have struck in Huddersfield – and a cancer charity is going baaa-rmy.

A wooden sheep named Mint Sauce was stolen from the back of a car and a tongue-in-cheek reward is being offered for her safe return.

Mint Sauce is part of a flock of six hardboard sheep which have helped raise at least £5,000 for the Huddersfield-based Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust in the last two years.

The flock had been loaned out for a sheep racing fundraiser at the Huddersfield Irish Centre in July but two of them were lifted while being loaded into a car.

Mint Sauce and Rambo disappeared but Rambo was found abandoned further up the street. Now racing has been suspended while an appeal is made to get Mint Sauce home.

The organisers of the Leprechaun Sheep Race Night in memory of Huddersfield teacher Colin Murray, sheepishly broke news of the theft to charity bosses – and offered a leg of lamb as a reward.

Trust manager Pam Thornes saw the funny side and thought at first Mint Sauce may have made a bolt for freedom – or TV fame.

“We thought she might pop up on the sheep dog contest Flockstars,” said Pam.

“It’s funny but it also has its serious side. This flock of sheep has raised a lot of money for us and we can’t race with only five of them.

“The sheep were made by one of our volunteers and it will cost about £20 in wood and paint to make another. We don’t want another sheep. We want Mint Sauce back!”

The sheep are attached to long pieces of string on spools and competitors sit on chairs with their back to the action and wind up the string as quickly as possible. The first sheep past the post is the winner and money is raised through betting.

Laura Crane Trust Manager, Pam Thornes

Huddersfield Giants are big fans and players including Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Michael Lawrence and Keith Senior have taken part. The sheep were also lent to former Giants star Andy Raleigh for his testimonial.

Paul Callaghan, who helped organise the Irish Centre event which raised £3,250 to be shared by the trust and Kirkwood Hospice, said: “For these latter day sheep rustlers to just steal something that has no other value than to help others, probably just for a laugh or devilment, is saddening,” he said.

“This effectively makes the rest of the sheep useless. We would like to ask that the thieves think about what they have done and return Mint Sauce to the fold somehow.”

Rambo, Baabara, Lamb Chop, Shaun (or Shorn) and Dolly are pining for their pal and anyone who knows Mint Sauce’s whereabouts should contact the trust on 01484 510013.