Stolen Lord of the Rings books replaced to Worcester charities.

Several copies of the first edition of The Lord of the Rings stolen from a charity shop have been returned. St. Hospital Richard in Worcester reported the theft after the books were taken on December 19.

A social media post said they had returned to his shop in St. Swithins Street. He thanked people for sharing information about the theft and making sure it was returned. Copies of The Society of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King is kept in a locked cupboard in the shop.

After his theft, the charity said he was "sad" that they had raised a significant sum for the hospital. Dan Korns, commercial director of St. Richard, said the hardcover had a text from the first edition in 1954, but they were all published in 1957 for €1,500.

"The store manager called me yesterday and said he was just walking around the store cleaning and found it on a shelf that wouldn't normally be anywhere else." So look at the book, and luckily we did it before anyone saw it [, and] went with them," he said.

"Someone has thought about it and decided with their conscience that they might not be doing the right thing. St. Hospital Richard supported more than 2,900 patients, family members, and dependents in Worcestershire last year at a current cost of £8.75m.