A MOTHER who worked overtime to buy her nine-year-old son a mountain bike was disgusted to learn it had been stolen from him at school.

Trainee manager Sarah Akehurst, from Akers Way, put in many long shifts last year at Asda Wal-Mart to pay for the Christmas gift, only to find it had been taken from Moredon Primary School's bicycle compound by two hooded youths.

Ironically, the bike had been postcode-marked for security earlier that week when police visited the school as part of National Bike Week.

On Friday youngsters decorated their bikes as well as part of the week of activities.

Sarah's oldest child, Shaun White, is devastated as the £130 black Felt BMX was his favourite possession.

The 27-year-old mum-of-two said: "He rides to school on his bike every day and, although it's only a short distance from where we live, he really enjoys it.

"The last place you would think something like this would happen is when it's locked away at school but that is what has gone on. I just don't understand why they would do this - bring it back."

Police have taken away the lock as evidence and are currently studying CCTV footage of the bike shed at the school where the incident took place last Wednesday lunchtime.

Shaun said: "I'm pretty sad. I don't know why this has happened and I just want it back.

"I think they must have seen it was an expensive bike, as mine was the only one that was taken.

"It has skull and bones valve caps on which may also have got their attention too."

It is a Heretic type bike and is hard to replace as it was bought for him from Mitchell Cycles in Shrivenham Road as an end-of-range model.

The youngster added: "I am using my old bike now but it's too small for me and not as good."

Another bike theft occurred in Swindon on Friday when a silver BMX was stolen by a hooded thief. A 14-year-old boy was punched in the face by the yob outside St Mark's Church, in Church Place, at 8.40pm.

The thief then rode off towards Rodbourne on his own dark coloured mountain bike, pushing the BMX alongside him.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward and anyone with information about either incident should contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000.