THIEVES who stole three children’s bikes, including one belonging to a girl who lost her hands after contracting meningitis as a baby, have been branded "mindless".

The mother of Tilly Lockey said she was furious at burglars who stole her daughters’ bikes, including one specially adapted for her disabled eight-year-old.

The break-in took place at some point on Saturday when the cycles were stolen from the family’s garage in Blackhill, near Consett.

Sarah Lockey, 35, said: “I just can’t believe it, they took all three bikes from my mum’s garage and one of them has been specially adapted for my daughter Tilly who has no fingers and toes.

“I can’t believe anyone would steal any children’s bikes but to take one that’s been specially adapted for a disabled little girl is disgusting.”

Tilly Lockey is well known in the area, following the Give Tilly A Hand Appeal which was started in 2007, after the little girl lost both her hands and all her toes after suffering Group B Meningococcal Septicaemia as a tot.

Since then her family have fundraised tirelessly to pay for new hands for Tilly, special equipment and research into meningitis.

The bikes belonged to Tilly, her elder sister Tia, ten, and her younger sister, six-year-old Lucy-Anna.

Mrs Lockey said: “Children’s bikes aren’t worth that much in monetary terms and it makes me so angry that these thieves haven’t spared a thought for the enjoyment value that they have stolen from our family.

“Tilly’s bike is specially adapted for her. It gives her the chance to be the same as every other little girl her age and enjoy time outside with her sisters and that’s been stolen from her by mindless thieves.”

Mrs Lockey has been sharing description of the bikes on social media in the hope that anyone offered them will report them as stolen so her family can get them back.

Tilly's had 'Polly 12' on it and it was white and purple with no normal breaks because it was adapted to have them on the back of her seat.

Lucy-Anna's bike is pink and white with orange and white cats on it and Tia's is purple with skulls on and she said it said ‘Christine’ on it.

The family have reported the theft to Consett Police, anyone with information should contact them on 101.