A couple are appealing for thieves to return one of a pair of stone eagles stolen from their garden in Tong.

The eagle, which stands 3ft tall and has a wing span of 3ft, was taken from Bill and Marjorie Stevenson's garden in Denbrook Crescent on Thursday night.

The pensioners say the eagles came from a house in Victor Road, Heaton, more than 30 years ago and are worth hundreds of pounds.

"We woke up in the morning to find one of the eagles had disappeared," said Mr Stevenson, 75.

"The thieves must have had a lot of strength as they were concreted down and they must have had a wagon to carry it off.

"We just thought that if anybody recognised them or were offered the eagle for sale then they should get in touch with the police.

"They are quite distinctive as they are very large with glass eyes."

He added: "We can't understand why they've just taken one of them. The other eagle looks very lonely.

"We were really upset when we discovered that the eagle was gone as we're really attached to it."

Mr Stevenson has other stone figures in his garden, including boars' heads from the old Bradford fire station.

Sgt Ian Dellow, of Odsal Police, said there had been a series of stone thefts in the area. "This eagle is very distinctive. If anybody has seen it or knows someone who has recently put a similar ornament in their garden, they should contact us," he said.

Anyone with information should contact Odsal Police on Bradford 376659.

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