A teenager was left in tears when his £130 birthday present was stolen from outside a chip shop.

Joanna Newport gave her 13-year-old son Aaron an orange Universal Havoc bike for his birthday last Wednesday.

However, his first journey on the bike, to the Littlemore Fish Bar in Cowley Road, Littlemore, with his pal Trystain Patterson, ended unhappily after two girls stole the birthday bike.

Aaron, of Aubrey Court, Iffley, Oxford, had parked the bike outside the shop and had gone inside to buy food at about 9.40pm.

His friend was guarding their bikes but followed Aaron inside briefly to finish a conversation.

When he stepped back outside, he saw two teenage girls, who had just left the shop, laughing as they took off with Aaron's bike.

Trystain, 12, of Cowley, Oxford, tried to chase the thieves, who were running towards Cowley centre, but he lost sight of them.

Police were informed of the theft and Mrs Newport is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

She said: "The girls were talking between themselves as they came out of the shop, saying they had to meet their friends. We know one of them was called Lisa because her name was called out."

Thames Valley Police cycles officer Pc Alan Deadman said he would do his utmost to get Aaron's bike back - with help from Oxford Mail and This is Oxfordshire readers.

He said: "I consider it a very serious matter when a child has been given a present like this and it's stolen. It is probably his first real possession. His mum probably saved hard to buy it.

"I will do my utmost to get that bike back. There's a much better chance of finding it with help from Oxford Mail readers."

Anyone who may have seen the stolen bike, or the thieves, is asked to call police on 0800 555111.