The Rare Bird Review

Three-year-old Olivia Blackbourn has got a new gnome after a mysterious "gnome fairy" called on a village for the second time.

Thirteen villagers in Brattleby, near Lincoln, woke up this week to find ceramic garden ornaments had been put in their driveways.

The same thing happened on June 26 last year, yet still no-one has come forward as the mystery benefactor who has brought a pint-sized dose of cheer to residents.

Olivia's mum Rachel Blackbourn (34), of Back Lane, said the timing of the delivery could not have been better. "My daughter broke last year's gnome three weeks ago and she was really disappointed," she said. "When we saw the new gnome on Wednesday we could not believe it and now Olivia has named it Mr Happy.

"I do not know who is donating them but it is just a bit of fun and Olivia has actually got a lot out of it."

Mrs Blackbourn, who helps run outdoor pursuit holidays, said it had brought an element of humour into the village.

"Last year everyone was talking about it," she said. "We have had a walk around the village this week and they do brighten up the driveways."

As the Echo (Lincolnshire Echo) reported last year, the secret gnome drop appears to take place during the night.

David Leighton (22), of Main Road, recalls the commotion over last year's delivery and was surprised the same had happened again this year. "I couldn't believe it when we found the second gnome almost a year to the day later," he said.