A Bradford pensioner who was scouring scrapyards in a desperate bid to find his stolen cast-iron garden bench has been given a replacement by a kind neighbour following a story in the Telegraph & Argus.

Terence O’Keefe had painstakingly restored the 32-year-old bench in the days before it was swiped from his Tyersal Court home during the night of July 30-31.

But now a neighbour, who had spare benches left over from renovation work at a bowling club, has given him a replacement after reading of his plight.

Mr O’Keefe, 78, said: “A neighbour, Jack Beaumont, called me to say he was sorry to hear that my bench had been stolen when he saw the story in the T&A.

“He said I could have his one free of charge and it was very nice of him to offer.

“His nephew got it for me and I do not think my old bench will turn up now and have stopped searching for it. I am going to leave restoring this new bench until next spring as I am scared it may be taken again.

“I am hoping my stolen bench may still come to light and someone might recognise it.”

The stolen bench was believed to be valued at up to £1,500 and had cast- iron legs and back.

Mr Beaumont said: “I saw the story in the paper and thought ‘poor devil’ and he lived so local so I offered him the bench.

“I thought he may appreciate it and he has been very nice about it. He has suffered that loss that he couldn’t really afford so I let him have that bench, it was as simple as that.”

Police are investigating the theft and anyone with information should call them on the 101 non-emergency number.