CALNE collector Tracey Wilson denied making a mountain out of a molehill after her favourite painted mole was stolen from her front garden.

Mrs Wilson, 36, of Stokes Croft, who has collected ornamental moles for five years, was heartbroken by the loss of her favourite two-foot wheelbarrow pushing mole, which was a Christmas gift from her husband and children.

Her back garden is dotted with more than 20 stone moles burrowing and emerging from the ground, but she did not know how or why the thieves stole the mole at the front of the house, which normally takes two people to move.

"I was gutted when I found out it had been taken," the mother-of-three said. "I was really angry and upset because it was quite a rarity and it's been there for four years."

Mrs Wilson's mole collection extends into her home with pictures, jigsaws and spoons adorned with her favourite creature.

She also has nearly 80 limited edition millennium moles, which are small ornaments dressed as different characters. She said a website which awards collectors of millennium moles with points, had placed her 94th in the world.

Anyone with information about the missing mole should contact Calne police on (01249) 812106.