POLICE scrambled a helicopter to search for teenagers who stole a disabled man's wheelchair.

The gang struck when John Conlin, who has been wheelchair-bound since suffering a stroke and brain haemorrhage ten years ago, visited a friend's house in Stockton.

They took his £1,700 wheelchair from the porch of Michelle Thurlbeck's house in Whessoe Walk, opposite the town's University Hospital of North Tees.

Minutes later the gang were seen racing up and down the street in the chair.

Police scrambled a force helicopter to try to spot the thieves from the air.

Mr Conlin, 37, said: "My friends helped me into the house and on to the settee and I left the chair, like I do every time, outside.

"When I went to go the chair had gone. I couldn't believe it.

"I hear it was being raced round and had been smashed into lots of bits. I don't think there's much of it left.

"It's absolutely disgraceful. I can't even get home to my own house."

Mrs Thorlbeck, who Mr Conlin regularly visits, said her friend's independence has been taken along with the wheelchair.

Mrs Thorlbeck said: "He is paralysed all down his right side and cannot live without his chair.

"He had only just finished paying it off but couldn't afford to insure it."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said they had yet to catch those responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Steve Wilson, on (01642) 302226.