A woman who had three chainsaw carved sculptures stolen from her garden has appealed for the animals to be brought back in one piece.

Hazel Copland, 55, of Low Bungay Road, Loddon, said the sculptures mean the world to her and their safe return is all she wants.

The sculptures, two owls and a moon gazing hare, were stolen from her garden on Sunday morning (June 10), she said.

Mrs Copland was taught to carve by Jason and Daryl Fryers who were based on the A146 at Gillingham, and she said it was something she always wanted to learn.

The three sculptures are her own work and each is a unique one of their kind.

She said: “I think somebody has just come and helped themselves to them. I did them myself because I always wanted to learn how to do chainsaw carving.

“I just did these three. I always wanted a moon gazing hare and I loved them and they do mean quite a lot to me.

“I put my heart and soul into them and they took three or four days to carve.”

She added: “They were originally solid logs and I did them with a couple of chainsaws and a carving knife to do the fine details.”

Mrs Copland also lamented the lack of police on the ground in Loddon and said the theft might not have taken place had there been officers around.

She said: “There doesn’t seem to be anything in place and I think if you have got your eyes and ears open you get to know people but that doesn’t seem to be the way it is done nowadays.”

She added: “I don’t think the thief realised how much grief he has caused really because I put my soul into those and my sweat and tears.

“There must have been a car, they are quite big and heavy and whether three people came in and grabbed them I don’t know but I would love to get them back.”

A spokesman for Norfolk police said the investigation was ongoing and anyone with any information should call 101.