Doorbell footage captured the moment a real-life Grinch stole a mum's Christmas tree from her front porch.

The brazen thief was filmed taking the 6ft Christmas tree from Zoe Murray's house in Loughborough, Leicestershire, on 26 November.

In the clip, a hooded figure is seen approaching the tree before pulling it free from the stand and running off down the road.

Mum-of-10 Zoe, 52, was at home when the tree was stolen at 8.26pm and had no idea it was gone - having "not heard a thing". "

It wasn't until 10pm, when she left the house to collect her daughter from work, did she notice it was missing. 

On returning home, Zoe opened the live feed on her Ring doorbell and was "stunned" by the footage. "

She managed to recover the tree ornaments and baubles that evening after she found them scattered down the road. 

The tree was later found dumped in a nearby park and has been reunited with Zoe - but it's not been put back outside.

Zoe, who is unable to work due to disability, said: "I didn't hear a thing and when I stepped outside - my tree was gone!"

"There are two smaller trees on either side of my porch."

"I don't know he went for the big one and not to two smaller ones."

"I reckon it was a dare - like a mate put them up to it."

"But I'm glad to have it back."

Her daughter posted the clip on Facebook and a local resident commented saying they spotted the tree in a nearby park.

Zoe was able to retrieve the tree the following day with her grandson.

The theft has been reported to Leicestershire Police but no arrests have been made, according to BBC reports.

"The lights were destroyed - ripped into five separate parts," Zoe said. "

"I was mainly worried about the decorations as there are some special ones."

"All but one were broken, so I was happy to get them back."