An expert is appealing for Cornish Times readers to help solve the mystery of the historic milepost missing from near East Taphouse.

As reported in the paper, the grade II listed post has disappeared from beside the A398.

Ian Thompson, of the Milestone Society, was told about the missing milepost by Brian Oldham, from the Liskeard Walkers are Welcome group.

Ian, from Newquay, said: ‘I have known this milepost since 1998, and, in 2009, I repainted it as part of a joint project between Cormac and the Milestone Society, a national charity established in 2001 to preserve and protect the country’s milestones and other historic wayside features.’

The milepost was one of a group of three surviving cast iron mileposts, dating from about 1826. They were placed by the Liskeard Turnpike Trust on the road between East Taphouse and Moorswater. The Liskeard turnpike joined the Lostwithiel turnpike at East Taphouse.

Granite milestones survive along the road from East Taphouse to St Austell.

‘Cornwall has a wonderful collection of granite mile-stones, the best collection in the country, but it has very few cast iron mileposts,’ said Ian, who is the author of the book, Cornish Milestones.

‘This was a rare survivor from a bygone age.

‘It was Grade II listed because of its national importance.

Perhaps someone has picked the milepost up, finding it knocked over, and has it in safe keeping.’

Ian is appealing to anyone who can help to solve the mystery of the missing milepost to contact Cornwall Council, Cormac, or the Milestone Society (see www.milestonesociety.co.uk)