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 his wheelchair missing from the driveway of his Princess Avenue home in Blackhill, Consett.

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

But a woman from Washington, who read about his plight in the Advertiser's sister paper, The Northern Echo, has given him her late-father's wheelchair.

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 original wheelchair was stolen on May 29 between 5.30am and 7pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call Consett police on 0845 606 0365.