Thieves have made off with around £1,400 worth of lead flashing stolen from the roof of a TT course landmark.

Work costing £4,000 is now under way to repair the Black Hut marshals’ shelter in time for the TT.

Police Sergeant Andrew Reed, said the flashings were ripped from the roof of the Black Hut, on the mountain section of the course sometime overnight between May 15 and 16.

’Unfortunately, the location means there seems to have been little in the way of witnesses. But if anyone was passing and saw anything suspicious, we would like to know,’ he said

’The lead would have been heavy, so I guess they would have used a van or a large car with a big boot.’

He said the theft was reported by a sharp-eyed member of the public who noticed the damage as they were passing.

A spokesman for the Department of Infrastructure, which owns the building, said: ’The damage was identified and reported on Wednesday May 16. As well as lead being stolen, damage was caused to slates and timbers.’

However, it is likely the work will, weather-permitting, be completed in time for the TT.

Scaffolding was erected around the building on Friday and work was expected to get underway yesterday. This time, the roof is to be made watertight again using ridge and hip tiles rather than lead.

Fortunately, the hut contains no specialist equipment and does not have any solar panels.

Though basic, and without any mains power, the huts dotted around the TT course are a valuable asset to the marshals, particularly on the bleak and more exposed sections of the course, such as Black Hut, where mist and drizzle can sometimes be a blight. TT first practices are on Saurday May 26.