A pensioner whose garden gnomes were stolen from outside his Accrington home has been given some new friends for his garden.
Stanley Hall, 81, noticed his three-foot high gnome, Happy Harry, had gone missing from his garden collection at a sheltered housing complex.
And despite appeals for their safe return, his garden at Plantation Square remained empty for months.
But kind-hearted staff at Accrington Asda have now donated a new Harry Gnome to brighten up Stanley’s garden, as well as a Molly Gnome to keep him company.
Asda’s community colleague, June Smith, said staff were keen to help Stanley when they heard about the thefts.
She said: “Stan is a regular customer. We knew his gnome had been stolen but there were no more left in stock.
“When we were able to replace it he was over the moon. He came down to the store and I helped him back with it.
“We were just pleased to see him smile again because he was quite upset when he lost the last one.
“His little garden in Accrington cheers the whole place up.”
The gnomes were taken overnight on Friday, September 5 and on Sunday, September 7, 2014. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.
