Thieves dug up a woman's driveway last week before escaping with £12,000 worth of antique stone slabs.

Sharon Gould, 52, from Spindlewoods, Tadworth, returned home on Wednesday, September 21,and was horrified to find that a large section of her original York stone driveway, dating back to 1910, had disappeared.

Commonly used to pave patios and driveways, York stone is a sought-after reclaimed commodity with original stone laid over 100 years ago particularly valuable.

With prices averaging £100 per square meter, the stolen driveway could have a value of up to £12,000, according to Rock Unique, UK suppliers of York stone paving.

Mrs Gould, who lives in a period Georgian home shielded from the road by a row of trees, said: "I think they must have had a truck, backed it in and loaded it up.

"If the truck was loaded up you wouldn’t have been able to see the men working.

"They probably did it very quickly and there was probably a team of them because the stones are very difficult to take up.

"It must have weighed a tonne.

"It’s just unbelievable."

The theft happened between 11.20am to 5pm on a rare occasion that the house was left empty.

She said: "The house always has someone in it but yesterday we were all out which is really unusual.

"There were big muddy footprints on the mat so they obviously rang the bell to see if anyone was in and waited."

"Because it’s such a little close it makes me feel very vulnerable.

"Did they look through the windows to check on us?

"It makes me feel sick actually."

Anyone who witnessed the theft but did not think it was suspicious at the time, or who has been offered York stone slabs for sale should contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference RB/11/8259.