A YOUNG Oxford Mail paperboy has been left devastated by the theft of his bike whilst he was out delivering the newspaper.

Harvey Huggins, 13, saved up more than £200 from his job to pay for the bike six months ago.

He has then used it every week to deliver the newspaper near his home in Kidlington.

But just before Christmas the bike was taken whilst he was out on his round.

Harvey's family are appealing for anyone who may have seen the bike to come forward with information.

The bike is described as a bright, neon coloured model with the make 'BTWIN' printed on the side.

Mum Helen Huggins has been out putting posters up all over Kidlington to appeal for people to keep an eye out for the bike.

She said: "My heart goes out to him, it really does.

"He saved up everything he could to buy the bike and then for someone to just take it is really sad.

"I don't think we will ever see it again to be honest but on the off chance someone does come across it, please get in touch.

"It would make his day to get it back."

Reports of bike thefts in Oxford rocketed 70 per cent last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Cyclists were warned to take extra precautions in November to secure their bikes amid the sharp rise in thefts.

A total of 2,339 reports of bike theft were made to Thames Valley Police from June 2016 to June 2017, compared to 1,375 incidents for the previous 12 months.