A heartbroken pensioner and his grandchildren have released a desperate appeal to find their beloved garden gnome.

Davie Higgins, 71, was devastated to discover that Jack the gnome was swiped from outside his home during the night.

The Union Jack clad garden ornament was cemented to the ground at David's home in Kilbirnie to keep him firmly on the ground during the high winds over the winter.

However his nine-year-old granddaughter Amy tearfully noticed Jack's disappearance on Tuesday morning and the family immediately went on a search party around the area.

Davie has 12 grandchildren all aged from a few months-old to 21-years-old, who were all devastated to hear of the gnome's disappearance.

Jack is described as being four-foot tall, with a red gnome bunnet, Union Jack patterned waistcoat, black boots, white beard and 'plonker of a nose'.

Davie's garden also homed two smaller gnomes, a bird table and little meerkat ornament which all thankfully remain safe.

He said: "Jack was a birthday present from all the grandchildren and has been in my garden for about a year.

"The gnome was basically theirs, every time they would come and visit me they would always give Jack a high-five or wave.

"When I broke the news to them I could see the sadness in their eyes and some of them were tearful.

"They kept asking if they would ever see him again and why he was gone.

"I think the person that took him wanted to keep him for themselves. If they didn't like the look of him they would have just smashed him.

"Although he wasn't worth a lot money wise he meant a lot to the kids, they loved seeing him.

"If we ended up being reunited again with Jack we would all be so happy but I think we'd have to keep him inside to be safe.

"We have contacted the police and hopefully spreading the word will help us find him."

A police spokesman said: "The gnome was last seen in the garden at around 10pm on Monday and was noticed to be missing on the Tuesday morning.

"The gnome is fairly distinctive, described as being four foot, wearing a Union Jack waistcoat and red hat.

"The incident has been allocated to local community officer to continue enquiries.

"If anyone has any information or if they find a gnome that matches the description please contact the police on 101."