ONE Winchester family's pleas for a much-loved sledge have been answered, whilst another is seeking the return of theirs.

Leigh McQueen and her family are hunting for a vintage sledge that could be a hundred years old and which was stolen during the Big Freeze.

But there was good news for the Healey family who saw theirs returned.

Demelsa Healey, of Hampton Lane, Teg Down, said: "Our sledge is now back home. We had a call on Thursday afternoon after someone had seen it in the Extra newspaper."

Ms Healey said she believed the sledge had been found on the Royal Winchester Golf Course.

The finder took it home and has returned it, declining to accept any reward.

Meanwhile Mrs McQueen, of Lovedon Lane, Kings Worthy, said their missing sledge was once her great grandfather's. "It is a family heirloom that has been passed down. To have two vintage sledges go missing is bizarre.

"We were hoping we would find it in a hedge now the snow has gone.

"My grandfather is still alive. We haven't told him yet. We didn't want to tell him because it would upset him," she added.

Her children Phoebe, 12, a Westgate pupil, and Hugh, 9, a Princes Mead pupil, are very upset at the loss.

The sledge was left for only ten minutes near the King Charles pub on Thursday January 7 at around 1pm.

Mrs McQueen can be contacted on 07889 131255. There is a reward.