A much-loved whippet racer in his 80s has been robbed of a prize possession while in respite care for cancer.

Roy Mussett, 82, who raced dogs around the country from the 1960s up until last year, returned to his home in Hayley Common in Stevenage on Monday where a prized life-sized statue of a whippet he kept in his front garden had been stolen.

The news had been broken to him by his wife, Muriel, while he was in Letchworth Garden House Hospice last week, after she discovered the stone model of a curled up black whippet which they had owned for years had gone.

She said: “I was upset and so was Roy. He’s not really well at all. There’s no respect for people’s stuff. It was so heavy, I don’t think they could have got it far.

“All the kids used to look at it when they went passed. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. Someone is callous enough to pinch it.”

Family friend, Margaret Hughes, of nearby Harefield, who helps walk the couples’ two former racing whippets, said Mr Mussett was very upset by the theft.

“His wife had to give him the news while he was in the hospice. He was in tears.

“He’s a lovely guy, with a wicked sense of humour. He’s a character. He’s the nicest person. I can’t bear the thought of him being hurt.

“It’s the last thing he needs on top of everything else. People don’t realise the damage they do - I could’ve killed them with my bare hands.

“You always knew it was their house when you got there. Everyone knows its theirs. They would be happy if it was just put back.”

If you know anything about the statue’s whereabouts contact Herts Police on the non-emergency number 101.