A PENSIONER who says gardening is his one pleasure in life has appealed for help in catching the thieves who stole his outdoor lights.

Paul Smith, of Gascoigne Walk, off Nunnery Lane, in York, said he was “devastated” when he discovered seven solar lights had been stolen from his front garden.

Mr Smith, 60, who has twice come third in York’s Tenants In Bloom competition, said the lights disappeared last Monday .

“They did cost a bit and they were quite a feature of my garden, which I take a lot of pride in,” he said.

“I feel gutted. To me it’s just crazy.

I can’t understand why anybody would want to destroy something.

“For my wife Christine and I, gardening is our only enjoyment, our only pleasure.

“I know it gives a lot of pleasure to other people as well.

“All the children round here keep telling me what a lovely garden I’ve got.”

Mr Smith appealed for anybody with information about the disappearance of the lights to get in touch with the police.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: “If anybody has seen anything suspicious or has any information about the theft, please phone York Police on 0845 60 60 247 quoting log number 12090044998.”