A BOY with a serious lung condition who used his mountain bike for exercise has had it stolen.

Adam Cameron, 12, suffers from obliterative broncholitis, a rare condition that results in permanent scarring of the lungs.

It has no cure, but can be relieved with physiotherapy, oxygen and, in severe cases, a lung transplant.

He used his blue Carrera mountain bike to ride to and from school. He is only able to exercise in short bursts because of his condition and his bike allowed him to do this.

Yesterday, at about 7.30am, Adam's mother, Joanne, woke to find that the shed at the family home in Martindale Road, Darlington, had been broken into and Adam's bike stolen.

Mrs Cameron said: "He is absolutely devastated. It had been locked up for some time during to the winter months, then he came down with the flu, so he hasn't been able to use it.

"Just as the weather is turning and his flu is going, his bike is stolen.

"It was an expensive bike and it was the only thing they bothered to take. He got it for Christmas last year and I need to find the receipt before I can claim on the insurance.

"He needs the bike to keep himself fit and healthy. He can only do short bursts of exercise, but the bike provided a perfect way for him to enjoy it.

"The police have been and are returning later. If anybody has information, or if they could even bring the bike back, it would be greatly appreciated.

"I would imagine the reason it was taken was to sell on, so I think there must be somebody out there who knows where it is."

Despite his problems, Adam is a regular fund raiser for the charity Breathtakers, which supports people with his condition. Last year, he ran the three mile Junior North Run to raise money for the charity.

The bike is a blue Carrera Vulcan adult mountain bike with white writing and spokes. Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on 0345-60-60365.