Civic-minded Graham Blacker was reduced to speechless rage as he tried to hand in to police a silver christening bracelet his son had found in Hillworth Park.

Mr Blackler, from Worton, had taken four-year-old Archie to the park in Devizes last week, whereArchie found the bracelet in the play area.

Mr Blackler said: "It's obviously of great sentimental value to somebody and I expect they would like it back.

"I fought the ever-increasing gridlock of traffic in town to get to the police station and hand it in. Wrong. It has closed, no signs, nothing just an endearing patina of white paper and several yellowing posters informing me how hard the police are working for us."

Mr Blackler and Archie then tried handing it in at the reception desk at police headquarters in London Road.

He was told he had to go to a recognised police enquiry office at either Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge or Marlborough.

Mr Blackler said: "In exasperation I left, passing as I did a particularly colourful poster about community and intelligence-led policing."

There has been considerable correspondence in the Gazette about where to take lost articles, such as bunches of keys.

Although it has never been officially announced, Devizes Library operates a lost-and-found service in conjunction with Wiltshire police. Enquiry offices closed down throughout the county following a decision by the former Chief Constable Martin Richards.

When new Chief Constable Brian Moore took over in January, he reviewed the position and three enquiry offices, at Chippenham, Marlborough and Trowbridge, were reopened.

Mr Blackler said: "They talk about intelligence-led policing, but how can you have that if there is no place for people to come and talk to officers?

"It is plainly ridiculous that we are told to take lost property all the way to Marlborough or Trowbridge. How will the loser know where to go to ask for it back?"

Wiltshire police apologised to Mr Blackler but said that small items of lost property can be accepted at the reception desk at police headquarters, but those wanting to report property missing will have to go to Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge Salisbury or Marlborough.

Mr Blackler still has the bracelet. Call (01380) 731692 for further details.