WELCOME gnome . . .

It's been almost a year since he was callously carried off -- but Wilf the wandering gnome is finally back home.

His joyous return to Chorley FC Social Club was greeted with scenes of delight which, you might say, dwarfed any other occasion there.

Wilf was bought by compere and DJ Neil Hailwood as a prize in the club's Millennium raffle.

But he was whisked away last November following Chorley's match with Moor Green FC -- sensationally swiped from behind the bar by visitors from the Birmingham outfit.

However, his cruel captors had a change of heart and decided to hand him back to his rightful owners.

Pictures of Wilf in far-flung places, such as Sydney, were posted back to Chorley, together with a number of menacing ransom notes and demands.

The culprits from Moor Green eventually revealed their identity to The Citizen earlier this year.

And last month, Chorley FC stewardess Chris Haslam received a pictured from woeful Wilf, showing him in front of the Victory Park turnstiles with a message on the back that he was set to return in October.

Wilf also stressed: "Please make sure all the gates and doors are open for my return -- especially the one to the bar!"

Wilf was driven back to Victory Park last Tuesday night.

The contingent from Moor Green -- who had renamed the gnome Charles -- included some of the club's directors. And it was revealed that one had even taken Wilf on holiday with him to Australia, hence the pictures of Sydney.

Wilf had also had his photograph taken with the Aston Villa squad.

Now Chorley and Moor Green plan to meet in regular pre-season friendlies for the right to keep Wilf for the coming season.

Neil Hailwood said: "There are no hard feelings. We're overwhelmed to have him back. He's sat behind the bar now with his Chorley scarf on."

A letter form the Moor Green delegation to Chorley following the visit said: "We had a great time and enjoyed meeting all Charles Wilfred's friends.

"We hope it's a long time before he gets itchy feet again." GOOD to be back: Chris Haslam with Wilf