STAFF at Goulds Garden Centre in Weymouth are celebrating a Christmas miracle after stolen prizes set aside for a charity raffle were recovered.

All prizes will be returned to the centre in time for today’s Christmas Eve raffle draw at noon.

Staff worked hard to secure donations from suppliers and are hoping to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK and Mosaic in her memory.

Meanwhile, Dorset Police has confirmed a 26-year-old man from Wimborne has been arrested on suspicion of theft offences.

After the Echo broke the news to staff, operations manager Penny Corp-Palmer said: "I don't really know what to say at the moment. That's just amazing - something we never would have expected.

"I just want to hear what the police say and what actually happened.

"The response since the story went out on Monday has been amazing.

"It's been so lovely to have so many people being positive about things.

"They really have made it a special Christmas for us all."

Staff were previously left on the verge of tears by the theft, which happened on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 10.

The raffle was organised in memory of beloved colleague Lyn Weaver, who passed away in October following a battle with breast cancer.

The prizes, which included a giant teddy bear, were next to a stand clearly explaining the meaning behind the raffle.

CCTV images were released in a bid to catch those responsible for the theft, which led to police receiving a number of calls from members of the public.

After people heard thieves had swiped prizes, donations also started flying through the door, from soft toys to a £50 voucher from Hall and Woodhouse Brewery.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said: “We are pleased to say that items stolen from Gould’s Garden Centre, including a large teddy bear intended for the charity raffle, have been recovered and are being returned to Gould’s Garden Centre today in time for the Christmas Eve raffle draw.

“A 26-year-old man from Wimborne was arrested on Tuesday December 23 on suspicion of theft offences and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”