A mum from Witney is heartbroken after a bicycle she bought to improve the health of her seriously ill baby was stolen by thieves.

Victoria Parnell's bike, which she bought to alleviate the effects of cystic fibrosis suffered by her 11-month-old son Vincent, was stolen after less than a week.

Her family are desperate to recover the mountain bike, which was set to be fitted with a baby seat to get Vincent out in the open air and help clear the mucus that builds up in his lungs.

Miss Parnell, 34, from Abbey Road, said: "We are shocked and heartbroken.

"It is such a heartless thing to do. I'd bought it to take Vincent out on because his cystic fibrosis means he needs as much fresh air as possible.

"Being outside has huge benefits for him. Sitting inside makes it worse for him. We desperately want the bike back."

The mother-of-three said she had saved up for almost a year for the £50 second-hand bike.

She said: "It took me a long time to save for the bike because we have enough costs from having three kids and taking Vincent to hospital.

"Now, I have to go through the struggle of saving up again."

The bike was taken by two thieves after her partner Lee Forkner left it outside the front of their house for a few minutes.

Mr Forkner, 36, a self-employed builder, said: "I only had my back turned for five minutes and it had gone.

"We tried to chase after them but, as they were on a bike, they got away."

The silver and purple Obsession bike was stolen at about 8.30pm on Thursday, February 21.

Pc Tracy Frazer, of Witney Police, said: "I feel for the family. The bike was bought to get their sick baby around."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.