A STRANGER has donated an electric wheelchair to a disabled man after his was stolen and wrecked.

Paraplegic John Rowbotham was devastated when he returned from a church service to find it missing from the driveway of his home in Princess Avenue, Blackhill, Consett.

It was found several streets away with more than £500 worth of damage and meant Mr Rowbotham had to go back to using a hand-powered wheelchair.

But a woman from Washington who read of his plight in The Northern Echo has given him her late father's chair. He used a similar model.

Mr Rowbotham said: "I was absolutely elated when I found out and I am still over the moon.

"I was making do with the one that needs pushing, but there were certain places I couldn't go. I can go anywhere in this - they are worlds apart.

"It goes to show there are more good people out there than bad people. There is always someone who can help."

Mr Rowbotham's wheelchair was stolen on May 29. Anyone with information is asked to call Consett police office on 0845-606 0365.