POLICE patrolling the New Forest have picked up a lost garden gnome and are trying to find his owner.

The jovial ornament was found on the A337 just south of Lyndhurst last night.

An appeal from New Forest police said: "He's making a rod for his own back and refusing to give us details, so we're appealing to the community to help get him 'gnome'.

"Described as: 2ft 5ins, wearing blue trousers, a green cardigan, a red pointy hat and glasses. He has a long white beard and has his right hand up in a friendly greeting.

"He also has a walking stick."

Anyone who knows where he's come from is asked to call 101 citing reference 44160229075.