A BIKER is appealing for the return of sentimental photos lost while riding down the A66.

Dennis Aspland has been documenting his recovery from a serious road accident through art and photography since 1997.

The 55-year-old was devastated to find a file of his precious photographs and artwork was missing when he returned home from a bike trip between Stockton and Darlington.

Mr Aspland had visited the Stephen Billau and Sons motorbike showroom in Darlington during the afternoon of Wednesday, March 4.

When he arrived at his Stockton home later that day, he was horrified to find his rucksack empty.

He said: “In 1997, I got knocked off my bike and suffered a serious head injury.

“I was in a coma for three months and spent two years going through rehab.

“I drew portraits of the nursing staff to help me recover and they were in the file with pictures of me handing over a cheque for £1,000 to the hospital.

“I had them in my bag but mustn’t have closed it properly and I think they’ve flown out when I was going home.

“The pictures and photos are irreplaceable and very sentimental – I really hope I can get them back.”

Anyone who may have found the pictures by the roadside can hand them in at the Stephen Billau and Sons showroom or email joanna.morris@nne.co.uk.