A cafe owner is celebrating the return of distinctive pink parasols after they were stolen – a day after calling the situation “a real kick in the teeth”.

Oscar & Bentley in Guildhall Street, Canterbury saw two of its umbrellas stolen from its outdoor seating area by a brazen thief on Friday 13.

CCTV images released by bosses at the establishment had shown a white male, dressed in black with a cigarette in his mouth, fiddling with the piece of furniture just after 8pm – with fears of not being able to replace them until next year.

But in a happy update for the business, the return of the parasols was announced on Saturday via a Facebook post.

The firm said: “A huge thank you to everyone who helped in the return of our much-loved pink umbrellas.

“A special shout out to the manager & security at The Seven Stars, they confiscated the umbrellas but didn't know who to return them to until they saw our post, shared by The King's Mile.

“We have really appreciated the outpouring of kindness.”

Sarah Wren, one of the two owners of the business, previously told KentOnline she believed two women accompanied the man and suggested they had taken the umbrellas to shield them from heavy rain in the city.

Mrs Wren said: “It’s just frustrating, we’ve gone to a lot of effort to make the front of the restaurant look really appealing.

“We’ve tried really hard to bring some life to a street which is, quite frankly, in a terrible state.

“The biggest thing is to raise awareness, we’re hoping somebody has a bit of kindness in their heart and can return them to us – that would be the ideal scenario.

“This was a real kick in the teeth – we can’t afford to replace them and we just want them back.”

Estimated to cost about £150 a piece, the parasols have become something of an icon for the restaurant located opposite the former Debenhams store – with the eatery saying they help customers find them.

In a statement released on Facebook, the firm said: “It's been so tough attracting people to our family restaurant and the pink umbrellas really help people to find us.

“Please, if you know where they are, can you get them returned to us?”

The restaurant first opened its doors in June 2013 and has gone on to be a smash hit – with its free-from-gluten policy providing those with intolerances a safe space to dine.

Kent Police have stood down efforts following the find.