A WOMAN who runs a 'little library' from her Hereford home said she was left deeply disappointed after thieves stole every book from the collection.

Sarah Bentley, 57, has been running the free resource from her Lingen Avenue home for two years and initially set it up to complement the book club she also coordinates called Oh My Word.

People are not charged to borrow a book from the library – which is housed in a box outside Mrs Bentley's home – and are expected to either return or replace those they take.

It is part of the Little Free Library, a registered charity which encourages people to install their own 'little free libraries' and play a small part in improving literacy rates in the UK.

But on Sunday, Mrs Bentley found hers had been completely emptied of its stock of around 40 books.

She said: "For somebody to take every book is a real shame.

"I was really upset and I was cross because it's a community thing and people do use it.

"I'm just disappointed that somebody could pull such a crass act really and disappointed with human nature, that people can do such a stupid, pointless thing. What do they want all those books for?"

The stolen collection contained mostly fiction books, and all were for adults.

Mrs Bentley placed a notice on the library after the thieves struck, asking for anyone who could to donate books.

One local resident, Terry Mason, responded to the call and delivered a selection of reading material on Monday.

Others who are able to donate can take their books to the library which is on Lingen Avenue.