A family whose ornaments were stolen from their garden has had them returned by a stranger.

Paul Burgess, his wife, Deborah, and children Laura, 12, and Daniel, seven, were devastated when thieves snatched Disney figures from their home in Valley Road, Portslade.

But, a week later, a stranger knocked on their door and handed them the ornaments, telling them not to ask questions.

The thieves took Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Humpty Dumpty from the front garden but dropped Pinocchio because he was too heavy.

Each ornament was worth about £70 and had been in the garden for three years.

Mr Burgess, 42, said: "They were all heavily cemented down so the thieves would have had to chisel them or kick them out.

"They are irreplaceable and I wouldn't have been able to get them again.

"I was really upset because people always bring their children to admire them.

"Even though we have lots of trouble round here and lots of drinking, they've never been touched before."

Laura and Daniel pinned a home-made sign to their garden fence asking for help in finding the characters. A week later the ornaments were returned.

Mr Burgess, whose other son Simon is three months old, said: "I was shocked when this person came up to the door and gave them back to us.

"They said they had been found in nearby Downland Court and to ask no questions and say no more.

"I was grateful for their return. I thought they had been smashed."

Mr Burgess intends to put the ornaments back in the garden after he has installed a security camera.

He said: "It's not something I want to do.

"I will have to save up as I'm on disability benefits. I should not have to go to such lengths because of these idiots."

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "If people are determined to steal then they will.

"But we have written a booklet called How Secure Is Your Garden? which people can get from their local police station or crime prevention co-ordinator.

"It gives advice on stopping thieves getting into gardens.

"People can plant rose, holly or thorn bushes and at night we recommend bringing ornaments into houses or sheds."