Stanley the stolen penguin returns home

Julia Giles said it was "amazing" to have Stanley back home

A glass fibre penguin that became the subject of a social media appeal after it was stolen has returned home.

The ornament, named Stanley, was taken from outside the home of Julia and Peter Giles, in Aston Clinton, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, overnight on 14-15 December.

Mrs Giles, 72, said she was delighted the 4ft-tall emperor penguin had been returned three months later.

Thames Valley Police said the penguin was spotted in a back garden in nearby Stoke Mandeville by a member of the public who recognised it from news reports about the theft.

Emperor penguin Stanley is back home with his king penguin cousin, Ernest

"Police community support officers went to the address and spoke to the resident, who said they found the penguin at a car boot sale," the force said in a statement.

"The PCSOs explained it was stolen, and the resident let them take it back home to its owners."

Stanley, who has a damaged beak, had been part of a display at Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park and was going to be scrapped.

But the Gileses' son Ralph rescued it in 2019 and gave it to his parents.

Mrs Giles said people had missed seeing Stanley on London Road, and she thanked them for their help in spreading the word.

"It was nice to have a bit of good news," she said. "Never say never."