A SET of semi-naked garden ornaments have been returned - after becoming gnomesick'.

The 10 gnomes, nicknamed The Rudies, were left on their owner's doorstep weeks after they went missing a note attached said they had taken a trip to Blackpool.

George Kenyon's ornaments were plucked from his garden on Cathedral Drive, Heaton-with-Oxcliffe on May 6. But after the theft was highlighted in the Citizen, the collection, minus one, was returned.

"They were left on the doorstep in a carrier bag with a note saying they had been to Blackpool," says George, pictured left.

"It said the gnomes went to the seaside to see the sights and had been to the Pleasure Beach and visited some bars. They had had a really good time but decided to come home after they realised they had upset me."

He says he is delighted that the Rudies are home and there is little chance of them going missing again - he has installed CCTV to keep them under surveillance.

George also acquired another rude gnome after a man from Torrisholme felt sorry for him and donated one from his collection.