A NEWPORT man was reunited with his unique garden bench thanks to the Argus.

We reported on Saturday how Philip Jennings, 54, had returned to his home in Clement Atlee Drive on Wednesday with his wife Cynthia after a week’s holiday in New York to discover the bench, worth £500, had been stolen from his back garden.

The bench, which is a unique carved design showing two black bears holding up the seat, was bought straight from its designer by Mr and Mrs Jennings around four months ago.

Mr Jennings appealed for help to trace the bench through an article in the Argus which was seen by a local resident who lives a few streets away from Mr Jennings.

The resident realised that one of his neighbours had recently bought the bench for £40 not realising it was stolen.

The bench was quickly returned to Mr Jennings who paid a £40 reward. Mr Jennings said he has also passed the information onto the police.

Mr Jennings, who had been celebrating his 33rd wedding anniversary with his wife in New York, said: "There is a slight bit of chipping on the back of the bench but I am over the moon to have it back. Thank you very much to the Argus."