A PENSIONER has been left heartbroken after treasured gnomes were stolen from her front garden in an apparent overnight raid.

Joan Hughes, 72, woke to find the ornamental figures, some of which stand around three feet tall, missing from outside her house in Wibsey.

Mrs Hughes' daughters, Lynn and Wendy, have rallied round to support their mother, and said they have been "overwhelmed" by messages of support on social media, with people vowing to be on the lookout if anyone attempts to sell on the distinctive items.

Lynn Hughes said the family would buy the gnomes for her mother on birthdays and Mother's Day, adding the stolen ones were only bought for her in March.

"Mum has lived on the street for two years, and this is the first time anything has gone missing," she said.

"She can't believe it, and is now refusing to put anything out in the garden.

"It is a real shame, as the kids on the street used to enjoy coming and looking at the new gnomes in the collection.

"I'm gutted for her, it's just not fair.

"She loves getting out in the garden, and pottering about out there really helps to keep her going.

"She's really upset and the garden is not going to feel the same."

Lynn Hughes said residents on the street reported two men knocking on doors during the day on Wednesday, asking if anyone wanted any work doing on their gardens.

The theft of the seven gnomes was discovered on Thursday morning at Mrs Hughes' home in Kenmore Crescent, Wibsey.

A neighbour of Joan Hughes said she had some fairy lights stolen off a tree in her front garden during Wednesday night, and looked at her private CCTV the following day to see a man unravelling and taking the lights.

She is currently waiting for police to visit the house to view the CCTV footage.

Wendy Hughes, who posted a message about the missing gnomes on her Facebook account, said: "I was so angry when I found out they had been stolen and just devastated for my mum.

"The gnomes mean so much to her and our family has spent a lot of money down the years buying them as she loves collecting them.

"She is heartbroken, and doesn't feel safe now as she knows how close people have been to the house.

"The support we have received on Facebook has been overwhelming, I can't believe how many times people have shared what I posted.

"People have been sympathetic saying you just can't keep anything safe anymore, and they've said they'll keep a look-out for people trying to sell the gnomes on.

"I have read every single comment and tried to say thanks, as they've been a huge help."

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101.