"DESPICABLE" thieves have targeted a memorial to an Aberdour teenager who died tragically at sea.

Flower planters were stolen from a bench on Main Street set up in memory of Blair Jordan, who was just 17 when he died off the coast of Japan on March 15, 2009.

Merchant Navy cadet Blair suffered fatal injuries in an accident on his first sea voyage.

He had been on board the BP-owned British Pioneer, on which he had become a deck cadet officer recently, and had spent just four weeks and three days on the ship as it sailed in the South China Sea.

Blair had left Inverkeithing High to attend Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton and had been looking forward to fulfilling his dream of visiting a number of exotic locations.

A well-known and loved figure within the village, Blair had been crowned king at the 20th Aberdour Festival in 2002 and had worked as a waiter at the Aberdour Hotel and at the Room With A View restaurant.

The avid Pars fan was also a regular at games at East End Park.

Aberdour Community Council chair Arthur Lloyd called the theft “despicable”.

He told the Press: “Blair's mother called me and said it was disappointing and has reported it to the police.

“The circumstances which led to the bench being there were very sad and a hellish thing to happen.

“The pots can be seen from the road and someone thought that was worth stealing. 

“People who do that are not particularly concerned about the feelings of others. They just want to get something for nothing.”

Mr Lloyd said the option of installing CCTV had been discussed by the community council but was probably not feasible due to cost and effectiveness.

He added: “I don't know if the pots will be replaced. I do know they can be fixed by putting a peg in the ground but it's a shame that has to be considered.”

Fife police believe the planters, which are about two feet in diameter and pale green in colour, were taken between Monday, July 11, and 6pm on Tuesday, July 12.

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.