A CYCLIST has thanked an “angel” who stepped in to help after her bike was stolen.

Sini Manner, of Poets Corner in Hove, was walking home from work when she stopped to use toilets near The Grand hotel in Brighton.

When she returned to resume her journey, her bike had been stolen.

However, after sharing her story on social media, a kindly member of the public contacted her to offer his bike as a replacement.

Sini said: “He said something along the lines of ‘there aren’t enough kind people in the world and I’d rather the bike be used than sit in my shed’.

“It needed a little tender love and care – changing chains and tyres, tweaking brakes, this kind of thing.

“But she’s a really fab pedaller and I’m very happy with my new bike.”

Sini said others in the cycling community of Brighton had got involved to help her after the theft.

She said: “I’ve also got to say thanks to Cycle Brighton in Hove and Chris and Mark at Bikehub too for helping me out and letting me tinker.

“I think cyclists here know how to look after each other.It was heartening to see so many people coming out to help after this happened. What began as a very sad event has restored my faith in the power of the community here.” Sini said the police now had a lead on the whereabouts of her stolen bike and she was still hopeful of being reunited with it.