Eyewitnesses said two men arrived at the centre and dismantled the wooden building, making numerous trips to the site, between 9am and 3pm, to remove it using a large white van.

The men were challenged by the staff at the centre, on Chanterlands Avenue in Hull, but managed to remove the whole building, which is described as being 12ft by 33ft and of a significant weight when constructed.

The incident was reported to Humberside Police once it was established by staff that the men did not have the authority to remove the building which is a valuable resource for the sports centre and well used by the local community.

Police have launched a public appeal for information about the theft.