PENSIONER Elsie Burnell had created her dream garden at her Cwmbran home.

Too frail to cut the grass anymore, the twice-widowed 82-year-old made a low-maintenance garden with pot plants and ornaments where she could while away the hours.

Last Christmas it was finished off with a gift of five potted box (Buxus) trees, one from each of her five sons.

Now her dream garden is ruined, after thieves struck twice in recent months, stealing two of her cherished trees.

The first box tree went in April. Just as Mrs Burnell had ordered a replacement in July, the second was stolen.

"I'm very upset," said Mrs Burnell, of Cwmbran. "I made the garden look really beautiful. It had been overgrown for a long time.

"I had always wanted a Buxus tree, and when my sons Leonard, Tony, Terry, Malcolm and Roland bought me one each for Christmas they finished the garden off nicely.

"It doesn't look the same now without those trees. "Now I'm afraid to risk the other three. I think the same person has targeted me, so I have hidden them.

"My dream garden is ruined."

The shrubs are 2ft, evergreen and shaped into pyramids. They are valued at £60 each, and Cwmbran police think they may have been stolen to order.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01633 838999.