A SPECIALLY adapted speedboat worth £60,000 to help disabled people waterski that was stolen from Ringwood has been returned.

Members of Ellingham Water Ski and Wakeboard Club were left devastated when the brand new specially adapted Centurion Carbon Pro boat was taken by thieves.

But that devastation turned to elation when officers from Hampshire Constabulary's Marine Unit recovered the vessel at a disused industrial site in West End.

The boat, which was adapted for use by disabled people, and its trailer were stolen from the water between 6.30pm on Easter Monday and 8.30am on Tuesday, March 29.

PC Matt Gransden, from Hampshire Constabulary's Marine Unit, said: “Following really good information from a member of our marine community, through Project Kraken, the Marine Unit were led to this site and located the boat intact and the owners are thrilled.

“Project Kraken is a national marine security initiative, a bit like a huge neighbourhood watch on the water, where we work with key stakeholders in the marine community, giving them information and updates about things such as this theft.

“They are our eyes on the water and we have a really good relationship with them.”

Ellingham Waterski and Wakeboard Club caters for both able and disabled people, who may be amputees, blind, deaf, paraplegic or wheelchair users, to ensure that everybody can get out on the water.

Club owner Chris Mullins was delighted to be reunited with the boat.

He said: “We know of boats that have gone missing and were never found so for Hampshire police to find it, especially in a hanger like this, they have done a really good job.”