Finder of Big Ben costume blackmails Piers Morgan

The missing Big Ben outfit stolen from a London marathon runner has apparently been found - but the finder says he wants Piers Morgan to DOUBLE his £1,000 offer to hand it back.

Posts on social media show the costume and a ransom note - with threats to chop it up and mail the pieces to Good Morning Britain.

The costume went viral after a video showing runner Lukas Bates struggling to cross the finish line dressed as the famous clock tower on Sunday got millions of views.

On Tuesday morning's Good Morning Britain Piers described the theft as "sickening" adding: "He runs 26 miles to the finishing line, we know what happens, this disaster, he crashes into the finishing line roof.

"So when you thought that couldn't get any worse, he finally gets under, goes to the pub to celebrate and while he's in the pub, someone nicks Big Ben. Gone.

"Imagine stealing Big Ben from a marathon runner. How sick have you got to be? If anyone has seen a large cardboard Big Ben can you please us and we will return it to this poor bloke who has run for charity."