POLICE are hoping that someone in Shalbourne has kept a card given out by a door-to-door caller offering to do gardening work and who may be able to help them with their inquiries into a mower theft.

WPC Karen Haddrell said the £250 mower was stolen from a locked shed at a home in the village on March 31 at about 4.30pm.

Earlier in the day the householder had a call from a man offering tree lopping and gardening services.

WPC Haddrell said it was believed the man called at a number of homes in the village and left cards with his name and telephone number.

She said police wanted to speak to the man in case he had any information about the theft of the lawn mower that had been on view in the shed, which had its doors open at the time he called.

The police officer said: "It's believed he went around the area and could have delivered some business cards."

Anyone who has one of the cards is asked to contact WPC Haddrell at Marlborough Police Station on (01672) 512311.

The caller was in his late 30s, about 6ft tall and of broad build. He was unshaven and had wavy fair hair and what was described as a grubby complexion. He was wearing a distinctive yellow tabard, a yellow hard hat and blue jeans.