Sightings of a purple car on the night a Shetland pony was stolen are now being investigated by police.

Officers are currently trying to access CCTV of a purple car seen near the field in Summerhouse Lane, Aldenham, on the night one-month old pony Cecil was stolen.

Owner Julie Blake said she had seen a man in the field on the evening of August 14, but thought it was a nearby neighbour.

She said: “The field backs on to a public footpath, and naturally the horses get a lot of attention so it’s not unusual for people to stop and have a look.

“I drove down to the field that evening and this tall man was in the field with a young lad. I just thought it was a man I know from down the road, but the purple car they got into was really beat up. I thought it was a bit strange to see him getting into that car, as I know the man I thought it was has a really nice, big car.”

It is hoped that the car may have been caught on CCTV belonging to a house in the area.

Have you seen Cecil? Let us know via Twitter using #haveyouseenCecil