AFTER 11 days in hospital for a major operation, a Poole man arrived home to find his front garden devastated by thieves.

The carefully tended garden of Tony and Jean Barnes in Winston Gardens had been stripped of all its pots and ornaments, including a white duck.

"What nice gentlemen they are, waiting for me to get home from my operation," said Tony, 76, who had undergone seven hours of surgery for a life-threatening aneurysm.

"It's so distressing," said wife Jean, 71. "I would like to thank the yobs who took them for making such a wonderful homecoming."

Around £200 worth of garden ornaments were stolen during the night of Easter Monday and although some Grecian urns were recovered from the road, they were smashed.

The couple, who are keen gardeners, have lost items of great sentimental value.

The birdbath was a present to mark their silver wedding 25 years ago and the large and heavy wishing well was bought when they moved to their home 10 years ago.

"I got up next morning and went out to check on my camellia and everything was gone," said Jean.

They have informed the police of their loss and are upset that people can be so heartless.

"We've had a dreadful lot of worry," said Jean. "Tony is going to need an awful lot of nursing. He's got scars from hip to hip. We don't need this."

First published: April 5