THE Crediton Courier has been thanked for its help in the recovery of a garden ornament stolen from a garden in Waresfoot Drive, Crediton.

The theft of the ornament, a water feature of a boy jumping over a fire hydrant, was reported in the Courier on March 29.

The feature, which was screwed to a base, was of moulded mortar construction and was 450cm across and 500cm high.

It was removed from the garden between 10pm on Sunday, March 10 and early hours of the next morning.

The owner of the water feature said it had great sentimental value having been given to him 15 years ago by his wife on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.

The police say they are happy to report that the ornament has now been recovered and returned to its rightful owners thanks to a member of the public who read the police's appeal for information in the Crediton Courier.

PCSO Dave Pilling said: "This positive outcome for the victim would not have been achieved if it wasn't for the 'Crediton Courier' working with the local police to get information out to the public."

People are also reminded that they can view more requests for information and updates on the policing in Crediton by liking the Crediton Town Police Facebook page.