St Helens elephants: Doorstep mystery was tribute to late wife

The mystery of the doorstep elephants had left police dumbo-founded

The mystery of why a herd of ornamental elephants appeared on doorsteps has been solved by a police tusk force.

The 64-strong collection appeared on Vincent Street in St Helens overnight between Thursday and Friday.

Some people were concerned and called Merseyside Police, where officers put out an appeal for information.

An elderly man later came forward and told police he had tried to share his late wife's trinkets to mark the first anniversary of her death.

Sgt Andy Halfpenny, of Merseyside Police, said: "I would like to thank those people who made us aware of the presence of the elephants out of genuine uncertainty about why they were there.

"Thankfully it has now been confirmed the motivation was sheer kindness and the ornaments were left on doorsteps as a touching gesture by an elderly man in honour of his late wife who had collected them."

The unexpected arrival had prompted residents to weigh in with their own theories and tall tales.

Brandon Delahunty speculated on Facebook that it could have been "a way for thieves to test if someone is home".

Despina Mooney tweeted: "In some cultures such as Brazilian and Chinese, elephants bring good luck, good health and are guardians of the home."

But Annabel McDade's Facebook post was the closest to the truth. She wrote: "I don't think this is sinister at all. This is someone's collection, maybe someone departed, and a third party has had the idea to give them out as a little gifts. Sharing the happiness."

The mystery is certainly one the people of Vincent Street will never forget.