IT TOOK youngster Joshua Marsh months to save up to buy the unicycle that really caught his eye in a village bike shop.

When he finally got to grips with the machine it gave him hours of endless fun - and his family were overjoyed because it helped improve his balance and co-ordination, so essential for Joshua who is autistic.

He was looking forward to demonstrating his new-found skills in the saddle to staff and classmates at a circus day at his school, Laleham Gap in Cliftonville, near Margate.

But his dream was shattered when the silver bike was stolen from the porch at the Marsh family home in South Eastern Road, Ramsgate.

Joshua’s mother Deborah said: "He is devastated and cried a lot. The bike was his pride and joy. Learning to ride the unicycle has helped him in so many ways and it has built his confidence too.

"There’s not many outlets for something as unusual as a unicycle so if anyone comes across it, either dumped or for sale at a boot fair, can they please bear Joshua in mind and report it."

The family are trawling the Internet auction site eBay in a bid to find a similar unicycle but have so far not found an exact match.

The bike was reported missing on Saturday, May 19.

Anyone with information should contact the area crime management unit at Margate police station on 01843 222178.