A THREE-year old boy has been left devastated after thieves stole his playhouse.

Julie Bell was furious when she discovered someone had stolen her grandson's £125 toy house, as well as a table and chairs, from her back garden in, Woodthorpe, York.

She said three-year-old George, who has hearing loss and has just been given hearing aids, was "absolutely gutted" when he found out his toys had gone. She said: "It's just disgusting to think that someone can come along and that belongs to a child and which they absolutely love."

The green and orange plastic playhouse, which is about 1.5 metres high and two metres wide, and a blue table and chairs with a bright yellow umbrella, were taken from the back garden of their bungalow in Carrfield on Wednesday night.

It had only been delivered last Monday.

Julie said: "He has only played in it a couple of times. He loved playing Postman Pat' because it had a letter box.

"But we got up on Thursday morning and it was gone.

"They can't have carried it through the street because it was just too big.

"It took two of us to lift it and we struggled. It's quite heavy.

"They have left tracks in the garden and it looks like they have used something with wheels to remove it."

She said they must have climbed over the fence to get into the garden.

"It's totally secure all the way round, but you can see through the fence," she said. "I'm so worried about seeing George's disappointed little face when he comes round. How could anybody be so cruel?"

She said he had started to play properly for the first time since having his hearing aids fitted when she bought him the house.

Julie said: "I want to appeal to anybody who knows who has taken them or who saw something."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the theft had been reported at 8.41am on Thursday.

He said the toys had been stolen at some time on Wednesday night or in the early house of Thursday.

He said: "Police have spoken to neighbours and no one has seen or heard anything. Officers are investigating."

Anyone with information is asked to phone York Police on 0845 60 60 247.