A householder has put up a board advertising his annoyance with thieves who stole his garden ornaments.

Gordon Pennington, of Hogarth Road, Eastbourne, woke last Thursday to find thieves had made off with two three-and-a-half ft high terracotta pots.

Mr Pennington decided to let passers-by and neighbours know by putting up a sign which says: "Sorry you have nothing to look at in our front garden, some sick people nicked our display."

The sign has certainly touched the hearts of visitors to the road.

Neighbours have brought round flowers and a catalogue deliverer even put a note through the letter box expressing her sympathy.

Mr Pennington said: "People always stopped to talk to us and said how lovely they were. Now there is nothing to see ."

He said at least two people must have been involved in the thefts because they contained soil from at least two grow bags as well as flowers.

Wife Michelle, 43, suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair.

The couple have devoted much of their time to the garden and often drew admiring glances for their animal and wishing well ornaments, firmly concreted on to tarmac.

Mr Pennington, who gave up work to look after his wife, said: "Who would take something from someone in a wheelchair? It is terrible. They must have been casing the area. Everyone knows her round here."

He hoped to replace the urns in the future.

He said: "It looks bare but if I replace them I will have to concrete them down."

The theft was reported to police and anyone who may have been offered the urns is asked to contact Eastbourne police on 0845 6070999.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.