THIEVES have emptied a great-grandmother's garden of ornaments.

The ornaments were bought over the years as presents by the 68-year-old woman's family.

Items stolen from the garden, in Coulthard Court, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, include a 3ft white concrete cherub with a bird bath and owl on top of its head, three pairs of concrete feet, about 6in long, an ornament saying "No fishing" and a pair of dwarf-style boots.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said the ornaments were Christmas and birthday gifts from the woman's grandchildren and great grandchildren.''

She said: "Due to the weight of the items stolen, police believe that a vehicle must have been used to transport the items."