Mr Boothroyde is prepared to pay double what the table and set of four wrought iron chairs cost him simply to make a stand.

Keith and his partner Sonia Tidmarsh have spent the past year spending hundreds of thousands of pounds renovating the hotel on Manor Road, trying to build a hotel the Island can be proud of for locals and visitors alike.

The patio set was whisked away after the pub closed late at night on July 19 and was noticed missing by staff first thing the following morning.

Keith told the Islander: "I am really angry that the thieves should just be so blatant and walk off with our garden furniture.

"We are trying to build up a business where people can come and eat, drink, stay, hold functions, the lot, and this is how we get repaid.

"I want people to realise I am not going to be messed with and will pay a reward of a £1,000 for information that leads to these people being caught."

The table and chairs, which because they are made of metal are quite heavy, were on the patio overlooking the front lawn and gardens.

It was likely that two or three people were involved in the theft and they would have needed a Transit-style van to transport their haul away quickly, without the risk of being heard or seen.

Keith, who has invested heavily in refurbishing and adding to the Newtown's 20-odd bedrooms, as well as upgrading the restaurant and building a new function suite and conferencing area, is pictured with the remaining identical set of furniture.

If you have any information about the theft, you are asked to call Hayling Police on 0845 0454545.