A paperboy with cerebral palsy has appealed for thieves to return the bicycle he rides to build up his strength.

Leigh Dine, 16, of Meadowview, Lower Bevendean, Brighton, was delivering The Argus when thieves stole his prized £300 mountain bike by sawing through the padlock chain.

The teenager, who has a place at City College to study tourism, suffers from cerebral palsy down his left side and had been riding the bike for five years to improve his muscular strength.

Leigh said: "That bike helps the muscles on my left side get stronger. It was inside my house for four years and I just practised in the garden until I felt comfortable and my balance improved.

"For the last year I've been taking the bike outside. I use it every day for my paper rounds and for long bike rides with my friends through the country and along the seafront.

"It gets me out of the house so I can have a life with my mates.

"I'm really attached to the bike because I'm used to riding it. I can get used to another bike but it will take a little while.

"Hopefully, whoever stole the bike will read The Argus and return it when they realise how special it is to me."

Thieves stole the bike on Thursday afternoon from outside flats in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, where Leigh delivers papers.

They also stole the front and rear lights from his friend's bike.

Leigh's mother, Alison Dine, 38, fears she will have to spend the money saved for a laptop computer for his birthday in September on a new bike.

She said: "I'm really angry I will have to spend the money on a bike. I really wanted to buy him a laptop computer for his studies but he definitely needs a bike.

"His balance has greatly improved because he practises on his bike.

"He walked around with the heel up on his left foot for years and all of a sudden he has stopped doing it, probably because the bike has strengthened the muscles around his ankle."

Anyone with information about the yellow Ridge Invader mountain bike should call Alison Dine on 07973 657994.