WHEN the neighbours of a quiet close in Bury St Edmunds opened their doors this week many had a surprise.

There, neatly placed on the doorstep, was a package with a note inside reading: “Please take care of me.”

After carefully removing the wrapping 14 different people in Godolphin Close found pristine condition, bone china figurenes.

Police were contacted after the first package was found on Sunday morning but since then more have appeared leaving officers and residents baffled.

The so-called “ornament fairy” has so far left a mixture of gifts including some from the highly collectable Royal Worcester pottery - the oldest in England.

Maybe the mystery benefactor did not know exactly how sought after the figurenes are, with some going for hundreds of pounds at dealerships.

In total, about 40 figures have been found. Their origin - and the motive behind the gift giving - remain unclear.

PCSO Matt Smith said: “This is certainly a very interesting case indeed.

“I’ve never come across anything quite like it and although I’m sure the residents of Godolphin Close would provide very good homes for the figurines, we are keen to hear from anyone who may have had their own collection lost or stolen just in case we can assist in reuniting them.”

A spokesman for the police said the constabulary had not recieved any reports of stolen ornaments in the area.

However, officers are keen to trace the owner so they can be reunited if possible.

Paul Simner, who represents the street at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said the giving of gifts made a welcome to change to the incidents the police usually had to deal with adding: “I’d like to thank this benefactor and I hope these items will be well looked after.”

Anybody with information should call PCSO Matt Smith at the Bury East/West Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.