Villagers both sides of the Norfolk and Suffolk border have been left shocked after historic post boxes were stolen.

Denton and St Peter South Elmham both had post boxes smashed out of brick pillars in isolated spots of the villages, near Bungay, during the weekend.

The one in Denton dates back to Victorian times and the other, in St Peter South Elmham, was installed during the reign of Edward VII.

Denton parish council chairman Peter Hill said the whole of the village was shocked.

'It is horror, almost disbelief,' he said. 'It has been there over 120 years unmolested, bees have nested on it and various other wildlife nested in it.

'It has stood the test of time and this is an unthinkable thing.'

The post box, on the junction of Norwich Road and Darrow Green Road, dates back to Victorian times, but all that remains now is a pile of bricks.

Mr Hill said: 'It is an isolated spot but it is used by quite a large number of people from the village.

'It is not only sorely missed, but the inconvenience too.'

The post box featured the letters VR on the top, and Mr Hill said he was not confident of its return, fearing it had been stolen to sell to collectors.

It was reported missing by villagers at around 10am on Saturday, and at some time between 3pm and 9am the next day, a very similar report was made south of the A143 at Wash Lane, St Peter South Elmham.

There another isolated post box was smashed out of a brick pillar, having stood at the road junction near the church for more than 100 years.

Tim Maycock, who lives in the village, said: 'It is a shame that someone has taken the selfish and thoughtless decision to remove something that has stood in the village for generations for their own perverse reasons.'

At first Suffolk police wondered if there had been a road crash after rubble was left around the pillar and grass verge, but there were no reports of any and the post box was missing.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said that since the report of the other theft they were linking the two. They added that the post box in St Peter South Elmham had been emptied by Royal Mail shortly before the theft.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: 'Royal Mail's security team is currently working with the police on these incidents. Both pillars will need to be rebuilt before we look at replacing the post boxes.'

Anyone with any information is asked to call on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.