A CHRISTMAS display of reindeers has been taken from outside a house.

They are the handiwork of former miner Colin Bell, who has been putting a display outside his home in North View, Medomsley for a number of years.

He started putting it out on Wednesday but discovered the following day that the reindeers had been taken overnight.

The 78-year-old, who made the reindeers himself, said: “It’s something I do as a hobby and as something to amuse the grandchildren.

“The kids seem to like to look at them and I do get people coming to take photographs of them.

“I was upset and annoyed when I saw they were gone - who pinches stuff like that?

“I’m sure they’re in someone’s back garden now.”

The grandfather is now hoping to make new reindeers , which take several hours to make, in time for a new display before Christmas.

The rest of the display includes a number of old coal tubs, which have been filled with sacks and a Father Christmas, which have not been stolen.

The incident has been reported to Durham Police.