POLICE are appealing for help in tracing the owners of several stone garden ornaments.

The items, which were recovered by police following the arrest of two men on suspicion of theft, are believed to have been stolen from gardens in the Bolton area.

The men were arrested after their vehicle was stopped by police during a routine search in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Officers found two large gate-post coping stones in back of the vehicle, and a house search turned up a number of items of garden furniture.

The haul of heavy stone ornaments includes a distinctive bird-bath, which stands at three feet high, and is decorated with ornate Chinese-style figures.

The white stone sculpture also features several carvings of women.

A garden urn was also recovered. It stands at just over two feet tall, is made up of two parts -- a base and the main body of the ornament. The base features a metal rod, on to which the main piece of the urn is slotted.

A two-foot white figurine was also recovered, which depicts a pixie-like character wearing a hat.

The two stones found in the car appear to be similar to sandstone, are square in shape, and taper to a point on top.

PC Tammy Woodhouse said: "We believe these items to be stolen and want to reunite them with their original owners.

"We are appealing to the public for their help in identifying their owners to help with our on-going enquiries."

Anyone with information should contact Bolton police on 0161 872 5050 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0870 555 111.