THE Cambrian News has tracked down the mystery man who left giant courgettes on the doorsteps of houses in a quiet village to cheer them up after a spate of burglaries.

Nathan Coates, who owns Sky’s Garden Nursery in Ysbyty Ystwyth, said that he left the over-grown vegetables outside homes in Pontrhydfendigaid that were burgled in a one-night spree on the evening of Tuesday, 28 June to bring “happiness back to the village”.

“Everyone was tense, angry and frustrated after what happened,” said Mr Coates, who lives in Pontrhydfendigaid.

“It is the kind of place where no-one locks their doors and it was a complete shock to everyone what happened that night.

“I thought I had to do something, and it was just a small gesture, but people seem pleased.”

Mr Coates, 31, admitted that it was “tough” not telling neighbours who were talking about it that he was responsible, but said that he was “happy” to see that it had made a small difference.

“This wasn’t about the burgled houses and the stuff that was taken,” Mr Coates said.

“It was our way of life that was affected."

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