A widow has praised police who found a sentimental 50-year-old bench in the river just hours after it was reported stolen from her garden in Bradford on Avon.

The wrought-iron bench was given to former nurse Anna Tanfield, 73, by a fellow widow, to say thank you for looking after her husband before he died during tests for a heart condition about 50 years ago.

Mrs Tanfield, who noticed it had been stolen last Wednesday morning, said: “I was so upset when I came down and the bench had gone. I went cold and I was absolutely frozen to the spot.

“A very nice community officer came round and he was absolutely marvellous.

“He said he would go out to have a look for it and found it in the river Avon by the town bridge. He brought it back and I have been jubilant ever since.”

Mrs Tanfield reported the theft to police at 8.30am and PCSO Pete Tscherniawsky returned it just a few hours later at 12.30pm.

Retrieving the bench from the river was a community effort with two builders and a street cleaner helping PCSO Tscherniawsky to haul it out.

“It is a little wrought iron bench and it is very, very pretty,” Mrs Tanfield said.

“It has followed me around in all of my homes over the years and means a lot to me.

“I have had it all of these years and it has never been taken before.

“The officer was absolutely wonderful and I am so grateful.”

PCSO Tscherniawsky described how two builders who were having lunch nearby donated their hook, which he then attached to a piece of rope to fish out the bench.

A street sweeper saw what was happening and helped the officer with lowering and swinging the rope down to the water.

PSCO Tscherniawsky said: “I let it dry off for a bit and then carried it back to the owner who was over the moon.

“My first mindset was that if I was a vandal and had taken a bench, where would I have thrown it?”

Sgt Neil Berrett, of Bradford on Avon police, said: “Whilst some may call this a bit of larking about I would ask that people are more considerate of others' property.

“This anti-social behaviour is totally unacceptable in Bradford, and people acting in this manner can expect to be fined if they are found committing such offences.

“I think PCSO Tscherniawsky did a great job locating and retrieving the bench and shows the contribution Community support Officers make to the town.”

If you have any information on the theft call police on 0845 408 7000.