IT was "snow" joke when the Murphy family discovered that their 6ft snowman had gone missing from the front garden.

And when it came to reporting the apparent theft to the police, Frank and Pauline, of Melton Drive, Hollins, expected a "frosty" reception from officers.

But in true Christmas spirit officers at Whitefield Police station saw the funny side and a snowman hunt resulted in "Frosty" being reunited with his owners.

The drama snowballed last Friday (Dec 14) while Frank (60) was out of the country for the weekend.

He said: "I got a phone call from home saying Frosty had gone missing. We have had him for about eight years and we tie him to a gas lamp post in the front garden every year. "He is a bit of an attraction among the neighbours, especially the children, so I was quite upset when I heard he had gone."

Frank said the 6ft tall illuminated figure was securely fastened to the post with cable and it would have taken two people to carry it any distance.

But just as it was going dusk, thieves apparently cut through the power cables and used a van to take it away. It was discovered abandoned around three miles away in Westminster Avenue, Whitefield.

"My daughter telephoned the police and expected to have the phone put down on her," continued Frank. "We didn't think they would take us seriously, but we got a call on Tuesday saying they had found him."

Insp David Jones, head of Prestwich and Whitefield Township, said: "Personally I think Frosty must have got cold feet about being left home alone and went walkabout.

"We found him shivering and lonely and looked after him at the station until Mr Murphy could collect him. It's a bit of a mystery as to how he got there though."

Delighted to have Frosty back in time for Christmas, Frank said: "He has caused quite a stir with his adventure and we have phoned round all the neighbours to say he is coming home.

"I really did not expect to get him back at all."