A business has come to the rescue of a young biker who had his treasured BMX stolen.

Lewis Ralph was left heartbroken after his pride and joy was stolen from Beachfields Park, Sheerness.

But Richard Stevens and James Ludlow, who run Vandal Bikes in the nearby High Street, have decided 10-year-old Lewis has too much talent to carry on without a bike.

So they have sold him a brand new BMX at the trade price of £320 – meaning they won’t make any profit on it – instead of the shelf price of £460.

The bike was stolen after a boy approached Lewis, who lives in St George’s Avenue, Sheerness, and asked if he could have a go on it. Once he was on it, he rode off.

Rose Street School pupil Lewis is known as Mission because of his BMX skills and he was so upset after the theft that he posted on Facebook: “I’m not Mission anymore – please help me to be Mission again and help find my bike”.

After Richard and James heard about the theft, they offered Lewis the cut-price bike, which is being paid for by his two older sisters – Anna Brown, 23, and Odette Burry, 22.

Richard said: “James and I are both riders ourselves and we know Lewis because he’s always out on his bike.

“He needs a decent BMX but they are not cheap.

“We think he’s got potential, and if anyone deserves a decent bike, he does.”

Richard also warned other youngsters not to be so quick to lend their bikes out to older children.

Lewis’s mum Annie added: “He hadn’t even had the bike for a year – it was a Christmas present last year.

“He was really upset. I would like to thank Vandal Bikes for helping him out.”

Lewis was presented with his bike at the shop last Thursday.

Police are investigating the theft and have issued an appeal for information after releasing a description of the offender.

He is described as having tanned skin, aged about 17 or 18, wearing an eyebrow piercing in his left eyebrow and he has black hair with highlights.

He was wearing a black jumper and beige trousers with a black line down the side.

It was stolen on Wednesday, October 20, between 8pm and 8.15pm.

• Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01795 419182 quoting reference CY/16667/10 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.