A collection of 3ft garden gnomes have been stolen from a grandmother’s garden.

Rosemary Wimble, 72, of Cleveland Road, Gillingham, had been collecting the garden ornaments for the last five years.

The 72-year-old received them as gifts for Mother’s Day, Christmas and her birthday from her children and five grandchildren.

About 20 of the colourful gnomes were stolen from her front garden on Monday night.

Mrs Wimble said: “I started collecting them when my grandchildren were at school as they liked seeing them.

“They all cost between £25-50 and most of them have come from Asda.

“I kept meaning to take pictures of them but I just didn’t get round to it.

“They’ve all got sentimental value.

“I just want them returned.”

Two of the gnomes were a bride and groom, which Mrs Wimble bought last week.

She said: “I had them in the front of the trolley and was putting food in the back.

“Everyone was smiling at them. Someone asked me what I was doing and I said ‘they’ve just got married I’m getting food for the reception’.”

She also said one of the stolen gnomes had been found round the corner, but it had been badly damaged.

Mrs Wimble still has six of the garden ornaments as they were at the side of the house and the thieves had only been in her front garden.

“If someone had knocked on the door and said they liked them I would have given them to them,” she added. “They’re not just for me. They’re for the pleasure of others as well.”

A police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating a report of a theft from the front garden of a property in Cleveland Road, Gillingham.

“Between 10pm on Monday and 8.30am the following day, 20 garden gnomes were reported stolen.”

Mrs Wimble still has some of her collection remaining, as they were at the side of the house and the thieves had only been in her front garden.

Anyone with information about the thefts can contact police on 01634 792209 quoting XY/27624/17