JOY and astonishment greeted the unexpected return of three stolen guinea pigs.

Five children were heartbroken after a thief snatched a hutch containing their pets - Chocolate, Patch and Ginger.

"I'm chuffed," said mum Kath Steele, of Norton Village, Runcorn. "We found them on the doorstep. We're still in a state of shock.

"The children were so excited, they smothered them in hugs and kisses and just sat there for ages holding them."

Their baby guinea pig, Gypsy, who survived because she was at the vets, had refused to come out of her hutch all week.

"She had been pining but when we brought the big ones in, the little one was jumping all over them, she was so happy."

The family was inundated with calls after making a plea in last week's World.

"People felt so sorry for the children, they were all offering us their guinea pigs," said Kath. "I'd really like to thank the World. We were very lucky to get them back."

John Barnes, who returned the guinea pigs, said: "They had been given to somebody I knew but I don't know who took them.

"I felt like a good Samaritan. To see the smiles on the kids' faces was enough reward."