A HORLEY couple, who sparked a social media campaign following the theft of their ornamental milk churns, have had them returned.
Bernard Fawdry believes the vintage items became "too hot to handle" following appeals by neighbours and this newspaper.
He and his wife June, both in their 80s, were devastated when four milk churns, which they have owned for more than 20 years, were stolen from their front garden two weeks ago.
Outraged neighbours posted appeals on Facebook. Thanks to the message, shared by hundreds, the milk churns were spotted on Saturday.
Mr Fawdry said: "A lady was walking her dog down Mill Lane and she saw them in a ditch.
"Our neighbour who put it on Facebook went down in her car and picked them up. They're not even damaged." He added: "They got too hot to handle for the bloke who stole them. He wouldn't have been able to sell them at a boot sale as everybody seemed to know about them."
The couple have spent decades collecting trinkets such as retro metal advertisements and even a red telephone box, which have transformed their front garden in Fairfield Avenue into an display popular with passers-by.
Mr Fawdry added: "We just want to thank everybody."
