YOU could have knocked John Jones down with a feather when he discovered someone had stolen the doors to a mortuary last week.

And the service manager responsible for cemeteries was described as 'astounded' to be re-united with two 19th Century mortuary doors just days after they had been swiped.

The 8ft pitch pine doors had apparently turned up propped up in a street a mile from Guisborough Cemetery, from where they were taken.

Mr Jones was approached by two men who told him that they had found the doors in the Wilson Street area.

The two said they had loaded the doors into their van and had been driving around trying to find their rightful owner.

A spokesman for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which employs Mr Jones, said: "He was absolutely astounded. As far as we can see, there is no damage to the doors and they will be re-hung next week."

The mortuary itself has not been in operation for more than 25 years.