A WORCESTER mother-of-three claims she is terrified to be alone in her home after thieves used bundles of abandoned newspapers to scale her fence.

The raiders clambered into Helen Heavens' garden in St John's and stole a petrol lawnmower - feet away from Mrs Heavens and her unsuspecting family indoors.

"I'm just livid," said the 37-year-old, who was at home with husband Stewart and two sons, three-year-old Daniel, and Thomas, 10, at the time.

"They took the lawnmower - full of petrol - over the fence, which is about five-and-a-half-feet tall.

"I'm worried sick now and have got all of the back doors and gates locked."

Thieves piled two complete bundles of papers and handfuls of loose papers on top of each other as a platform to mount the fence.

"We've got lots of copies of free newspapers thrown away round here," said Mrs Heavens.

"The thieves must have piled up the papers and then climbed over the fence. We only realised at about 6pm on Sunday night, when my husband went to fetch the lawnmower.

"I know they can't be kids because the mower was too heavy.

"We have a job lifting it over a 3ft fence into our neighbours' garden."

Chief Insp Martin Lakeman, of Worcester police, confirmed that officers were investigating the theft of the lawnmower.

"The evidence that may assist the investigation has been seized," he said.

"And the beat officer is working with other agencies to tackle quality-of-life issues in the area."

Arrangements have now been made for the city council to remove the abandoned papers from the alleyway.