A GIANT nutcracker statue that was 'kidnapped' from a garden days before Christmas has been returned to its owner with a mysterious note.

The 5.5ft tall nutcracker, affectionately nicknamed Kaiser, was left on the doorstep of Catherine Woolrych's home a month after being stolen.

With it was a sinister note from the person who abducted Kaiser. It read: "Thanks for lending him to us for Christmas. Same time next year.

"P.S can you buy another one please - two look better."

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Kaiser cost £250 to buy and is one of 23 nutcrackers Catherine and husband Robin display in the garden of their home at Longham every Christmas.

The 51-year-old carer said: "He was stolen on December 22. We were all at home at the time, the lights were on and the blinds were open. We were watching TV.

"I went out at midnight to feed the foxes and the badgers and Kaiser was missing.

"The strange thing was that we didn't hear or see a thing.

"It would have needed two men and a van to remove it.

"We've had a few pranks played on us over the years and we were expecting a few photos of Kaiser with a bag over his head and a ransom note asking for a million pounds.

"But we heard nothing and I even had all our delivery drivers and lovely post lady looking out for him. They were my eyes and ears.

"Then last week my son came home from college for lunch and he called me to say that Kaiser was back.

"They put him back exactly where they'd found him- they even moved all the plant pots and made a real effort.

"We really have no idea who it was. It's left me really paranoid."

The culprit has sparked a debate online with some seeing the funny side and others describing them as 'sinister and disrespectful.'

Some suggested that Catherine plant hidden cameras or place a tracking device inside Kaiser next Christmas while others pleaded with her never to leave it outside again.