PRIZE-winning gardener James Lowry is devastated after flowers were stolen from his garden.

74-year-old Mr Lowry, who has won several awards for displays at his home in Alfred Street, was horrified when thieves took a number of his prize hanging baskets, containing bizzie lizzies, petunias and begonias.

Mr Lowry said: “It is heartbreaking when you are doing something that you enjoy, and you see this happen.

“I love where I live, and I love keeping it clean and looking good.

“They don’t realise what they have done.

“I know my three children wouldn’t do something like that. They weren’t brought up like that.”

He also tends the gardens of his neighbours who are in their 90s. Mr Lowry’s wife, Felicity, aged 67, said her husband loved gardening.

The pair, who are parishioners at St Marie and St Joseph’s Church, have lived in Alfred Street for nine years.

Anyone with information about the thefts can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.