16236/6LANDLORD Michael Kemp hopes a local snout may soon save his bacon and squeal on the thief who has kidnapped a prized ornamental wooden pig from his pub.

He's been left scratching his head over the rustler's identity since postcards began arriving at The Whole Hog pub in the Market Cross, Malmesbury, showing the exploits of the globe trotting pig abroad.

One showing the smiling porker says: "Having fun in Egypt, see you soon, Kevin Bacon."

Another showing the pig wearing a fez reads: "Dear all, still enjoying the holidays, looking forward to coming home."

And a final card reads: "Don't worry I will be home soon."

Pig-sick Mr Kemp reckons the rustler had a real sauce and sincerely hopes his little piggy will indeed soon be running all the way home.

"I hope someone in Malmesbury will take pity on me and bring it back," he said. "I want my pig back and it would be nice to see him soon."

Mr Kemp had placed his pig by the pub's window for visitors to admire before it disappeared two years ago.

Recently the mystery over its whereabouts deepened with the arrival of the postcards, which are postmarked from Swindon. Mr Kemp has pinned the cards to his bar in the hope it may get people's brain waves crackling.

He said: "This the fourth pig in recent years to have been rustled from the pub."

Whole Hog barmaid Sara Crabb said staff were very concerned about Kevin's disappearance.

"If anyone knows where Kevin is please tell us," she said.

"Kevin we miss you. At least when we received postcards we knew he was ok."

Miss Crab added that during the six years Mr Kemp has run the pub many other pig models and porky memorabilia had been stolen by people who want them as trophies.

She added: "One pig that went missing was an antique and was pinched by a bunch of kids."

Any witnesses who see Kevin topping up his tan on the beach are urged to contact Mr Kemp on (01666) 826972.