A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has thanked the Andover Advertiser after her garden gnome family were reunited last week.

Barbara Young’s trio of garden ornaments had been stolen from her back garden on Friday, June 17.

However, Mrs Young said that she woke up to find that someone had returned her beloved family overnight on Saturday, July 9.

The 75-year-old senior, of The Drove, Andover, said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

“I’m ecstatic because my daughter and son-in-law had bought me two of them.

“The gnomes are a part of my home and I know children used to like seeing them, they loved to see the big gnome there, the children and families that come through the allotments.”

Mrs Young said that the gnomes had been left by her back garden gate and that a note was placed under the foot of one of the ornaments.

The note said: “Sorry went on holiday, was going to send a postcard but had no money. Missed You xxxxx.”

The pensioner thanked the Advertiser for the return of her garden ornaments.

She said: “ I think it’s because of the story being in the paper. I feel they felt obligated to bring it back to me.”

Mrs Young is sure that they are her original gnomes as one of them had drips of paint from the time she repainted the big gnome’s hat.

However, the ‘daddy’ gnomes did not return unscathed as there is a large chip on one of the cuffs.

Fortunately for Mrs Young it is not noticeable from the front.

She added: “I’m just thankful I’ve got all of them back because it completes my garden.

“I just hope it doesn’t happen again.”