A HOMEOWNER was stunned to find two solid oak gates had been stolen from the bottom of his driveway.

Anthony Wright discovered the weighty 5ft by 6ft gates had vanished when he took his dogs for a walk at 9am yesterday.

Instead of seeing the hefty oak panels at the end of his 70-yard drive, in Hawford, near Worcester, all Mr Wright saw was an empty space.

"We know the gates were there at 9 o'clock the night before," said Mr Wright.

"A neighbour had been driving past and a cat ran in front of the car and scurried up them.

"I can't believe we didn't hear them take them.

"I could never lift them on my own. If I ever had to do any repairs, I'd get someone to help me."

Mr Wright believed the thieves used a small truck and a car for their getaway.

Tyre tracks were found along the road and in a gateway where the raiders were thought to have turned their vehicles around.

"It would have taken that many people to move them," he added.

"If the thieves stepped on to the drive, they would've set off the security lights.

"They must have known what they were doing."

The bespoke gates, carved with upturned horseshoes, were made specifically to fit the size of the drive.

"They were made for the house, which was built in 1937, and they've been there ever since," said Mr Wright.

"They were part of the character of the house and were as good as the day they were made."

Worcester police asked anyone with information about the theft to contact PC Andy Hall on 01905 723888, quoting c/582646, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

"It would have been a struggle for two men to have removed each gate," said PC Hall.

"I'm confident that someone, somewhere, has information that will help us establish where these gates have been taken."