A Bradford pensioner is scouring scrapyards in a bid to find his stolen treasured cast-iron bench which had sat in his garden for 32 years.

Terence O’Keefe’s search has so far been futile but he is refusing to give up because he so desperately wants his beloved garden bench back.

He had spent three days glossing and shining the garden furniture days before it was taken from his Tyersal Court home during the night of July 30-31.

The 78-year-old is now appealing for anyone who may know where his bench is to contact the police.

He has trawled scrap metal dealers in Bowling Back Lane and Dick Lane on different occasions looking to see whether they have been offered the bench.

“It is a very heavy bench,” he said.

“It would take two people to lift it and they couldn’t have carried it far.

“I think it was taken in a van or by other means of transport.

“The bench was in the house when we bought it and has been here 32 years. I did it all up and put new timber on it and have done it up again with gloss and primer.

“I spent three days working on it recently and I think I could have got £500 to £1,500 for it if I took it to auction, but I would not have sold it.

“It has got cast-iron legs and a cast- iron back.

“I have driven all around Tyersal, Holme Wood and Dick Lane looking for it. It is just a really nice bench to sit on when I am in the garden and I did it up to sit on.

“Someone has just come in and taken it during the night.

“I just cannot get over that my bench is missing and who the hell would come in and pinch it?”

A police spokesman confirmed that they were investigating the theft.

“The victim was 78 and we are appealing for witnesses to come forward,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone with information should call the non-emergency number on 101.

“It was an antique cast-iron bench and should be recognisable.”