A PENSIONER has praised community spirit after well-wishers replaced furniture that had been stolen from his garden.

Alan Armstrong said he often enjoys sitting in the garden of his home in Westgate, in Weardale, and used to leave chairs outside his gate for ramblers and passers-by to take a break on.

But the 91-year-old was devastated to find the chairs, which he also used to help his movement around the garden, had been stolen.

Weardale Neighbourhood Policing Team put an appeal for information on their Facebook page, and they were inundated with offers of replacement furniture.

A woman from Wolsingham donated four new chairs while many others also said they have furniture he can use.

Mr Armstrong, a retired civil servant, said: “I was extremely annoyed when the chairs were taken, something like that makes you lose your trust in other people.

“But the community spirit in Weardale is marvellous and I am delighted that I can now enjoy my garden again.”

PC Ellis Hutchinson said although the theft was of a low value, the chairs were very important to Mr Armstrong’s quality of life.

He said: “It might not seem the most serious crime but it did have a big impact on his life and emotional wellbeing.

“After we put it on Facebook we had an excellent response from the public.”

Anyone with information on the theft, which happened three weeks ago, can contact PC Hutchinson on 101.

For more information, search for Weardale police on Facebook.