A St Albans couple is in "disbelief" as their prized shed was stolen from its foundations last week.

Retirees, Erica and Philip Lynwood, were agog to check on their allotment space on Wednesday, October 16.

A neat trail of tools and debris led them to the foundations of their £1,300 outbuilding, a retirement present from their children.

Everything was there, a new lawnmower and expensive tools, but the brickwork lay bare with no shed in sight.

There was nothing left but the shed's foundations following the theft.There was nothing left but the shed's foundations following the theft. (Image: Submitted) "The overwhelming feeling is shock, that someone could just sneak into a locked site and steal a shed," said the Erica. 

"I’m heartbroken because my children had put so much effort into the gift. When the contents were flung out a little plaque that was given at the same time was broken."

65-year-old Erica was in tears when she saw that the commemorative item had been discarded and broken.

"I can't believe that something so personal could be so disrespected," she added.

Erica and Philip Lynwood are known as the 'Guerilla Gardeners' as they maintain three gardens in the local area.Erica and Philip Lynwood are known as the 'Guerilla Gardeners' as they maintain three gardens in the local area. (Image: Erica Lynwood)Read More: 

Husband Philip, 56, feels very "angry" and in "disbelief" that someone could take the building, particularly as it became Erica's "safe space" after a stroke and subsequent ill-health forced her to retire.

The 8m x 6m shed, formerly located at the Nunnery 1 Allotments, in Mentmore Road, is thought to have been stolen within a 24 hour period.

Following the theft, Philip knocked on the door of nearby resident Linda Wells' for help. She came to the couple's aid posting a Facebook appeal and helping provide information to the police.

"The thieves must've spent over an hour dismantling it and removed all the tools and new lawnmower, but only took the shed," Linda said.

The £1,300 custom-built shed before it had been stolen.The £1,300 custom-built shed before it had been stolen. (Image: Submitted)The neighbour was particularly saddened as Erica told her the shed was where she went to relax and was "expensively custom built".

Unfortunately, the couple cannot afford to replace the shed, but stressed how important it was during daily life.

Erica said: "I suffer from chronic fatigue, which has the effect of bringing back some of my stroke symptoms. I need to have somewhere to sit and relax to avoid getting overtired."

The couple expressed their gratitude to those that have come forward and helped them.

A spokesperson for Herts Police said: "We are investigating the theft of a shed in St Albans. Between 6pm on Tuesday October, 15 and 5pm on Wednesday October, 16 a shed was stolen from Nunnery allotments in Mentmore Road.

"Enquiries are ongoing and any witnesses or anyone with information should call the non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference 41/86733/24."