SIR: Has anyone seen Lennie?

Could I through your paper appeal to the people who took the garden gnomes from my garden during the last couple of months.

"Lennie" was given to me 21 years ago by two of my dearest friends and is no ordinary garden ornament. He was a symbol of a friendship which was only broken by the death of both of them. He was a reminder of them, of the lovely holidays we shared together, and of a friendship which was mutual.

He is 14 ins tall and is seated, with legs crossed, on the stump of a tree. He is solid and would be heavy to carry. He has a cheeky grin. He has a red hat and green coat.

He vanished some weeks ago, along with his two friends; one on a swing and the other playing a musical instrument. If these have been taken by children, surely parents know they have got them from somewhere.

If the thieves are adults, who want to sell them at a car boot sale, I hope that Lennie will say "I am not for sale" and the thieves will be tormented with the feeling of having no friends, like the ones that Lennie represents.

Mrs Mary Seddon

Alicks Fold, Westhoughton

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