AN ELDERLY people’s community is appealing for the public to help recover a hosepipe stolen from storage around Christmas time.

The industrial quality hose was loaned to residents of Grace Lodge by Thornbury in Bloom so they could tend to the Rock Street Gardens next to the home and making sure the area is well kept for competition.

At 50 metres in length and weighing around 25kg, the large yellow hose was noticeably the hose was kept in the home’s locked bin storage area.

Grace Lodge resident Barry Hackett, who tends to the gardens, said that as the hose went missing during the wet winter, it was not in use and no one had noticed.

The theft was discovered when Barry found the Thornbury in Bloom sign, which had been tied to the hose, on the floor.

“We empty our bins into the storage regularly,” said Barry, “But it never occurred to us that it wasn’t there.

“The hose plays a big part in keeping our community bright and colourful in the summer, and helps us contribute to Thornbury in Bloom’s annual competing.

“We would really appreciate it if the person who took it could return it to us.”

Sue Aitken from Thornbury in Bloom, labelled the theft as “disgraceful”, accusing the thieves of “having taken an item paid for by contributions from the public – even more so as it was taken from an old people’s community.”

She added: “Any information that could lead to us recovering it would be extremely welcome, as if we do not get it back, we would have to buy a new hose for the residents of Grace Lodge which is money we could be putting to better use elsewhere.”