IT is something you might expect to see in the back of the newspaper – “searching for a 6ft muscular Greek God with outstretched arms in Southampton ”.

But this is exactly what police officers are hunting for after thieves stole the treasured antique from a city shop.

The nude Greek God statue sat on the roof for more than ten years at Amber Antiques in Portswood Road.

But now police have launched an appeal to track down the Adonis and the thieves who stole him in the night.

They believe the clear fibreglass statue, which was filled with water and was very heavy, must have been carried off by at least two people.

Police believe access to the roof was gained from an alleyway on Portswood Road which leads to the back of the antiques shop.

Residents noticed the statue was missing but nobody recalls hearing or seeing any unusual activity.

PC Nicole Dean, said: “The statue has little, if any resale value. It could have been stolen for personal use in someone’s garden. If that is the case, we would like to locate the statue.”

Owner of the shop Roy Jardine- Boyle, who bought the piece from a dealer in London more than ten years ago, said: “Everyone looked at it and said ‘what a big lad’ but I suppose two blokes could have probably managed.

I always thought he was as safe as houses up there. Maybe someone had too much to drink.

“He is about 6ft tall, twice as wide as me and very muscular. I am sure someone must have seen something.”

Anyone with information about the theft on Monday, August 6 should contact PC Dean at Portswood police station on 101.