A GROUP of disabled sailors has been left devastated by the theft of a boat that was due to be named by the Princess Royal.

Members of Lymington SailAbility are reeling from the disappearance of their £7,000 safety vessel and its trailer, which were taken from a car park overlooking the entrance to the harbour.

Now the club is involved in a race against time to get a replacement before the royal visit on April 21.

Members were delighted when the Princess Royal, a keen sailor, agreed to name their new Solent RIB and another vessel as well as hand out certificates.

However, the theft of the 5.4 metre craft is threatening to cast a cloud over the biggest day in the group's history.

The boat was due to have been named Pebble Beach after a local restaurant that raised £4,000 towards the cost of the craft.

It was stolen from a car park at Bath Road, Lymington, even though the club had removed two of the trailer's three wheels and clamped the other one in a bid to prevent it being taken.

Police are investigating.