Good Samaritans have come forward with offers of help following a callous break-in last week at a community garden where outdoor equipment used by children was among the items stolen.

Thieves went on the rampage in the community garden set up by Community Development Action (CDA) Herts in Hixberry Lane, St Albans, between June 12 and June 14.

They damaged the locks on a compostable toilet, a shed and a storage crate as well as making off with equipment, much of it belonging to a group of childminders called Little Eden who have created an area of the site especially so their charges can learn about nature.

Among the items stolen from them was a wishing well, benches, a flower trough and a wheelbarrow but damage was caused to other parts of the community garden which is set out as allotments.

Within hours of the theft being highlighted in the Herts Advertiser offers of help had been received including the donation of a child’s wheelbarrow from nearby resident Philip Ainsworth and an offer to seek district council funding to replace the stolen items from newly-elected councillor Jessica Chivers.

The Maltings shopping centre also got in touch to offer support and a donation of £300 to replace stolen and broken items.

In addition Larry Neal of locksmithhertfordshire visited the site and carried out an emergency repair to one of the damaged locks at no charge.

Glenda Elder, a volunteer for CDA Herts, said: “We are overwhelmed by the kindness of local business people and indivudals and would like to thank them for putting a silver lining back into what was a momentary cloud. It has been genuinely heartwarming.

“We will be moving forward now positively and welcome all to our st Albans community garden at Hixberry Lane.”

CDA would still like to hear from anyone with good handyman skills who might be able to work out how best to repair doors which were broken during the theft.

Offers of help should be made to CDA on 01707 695504 or email kath.sexton@cdaherts.org.uk