Teenager Des Devlin is devastated after a thief stole his prized unicycle.

Des, 15, of Mascord Road, Banbury, had always wanted a unicycle of his own since he rode one as a child. And in 1994 his wish came true when his grandparents bought him a specially-made one, which he has regularly ridden around town.

But on Friday a thief wheeled it away while Des was enjoying a burger with his family in McDonald's, Bridge Street.

Des, a pupil at Blessed George Napier School, said: "It's my pride and joy. It's hard to imagine anybody being so mean."

He does have a second, bigger, unicycle which he takes to charity events.

"But that's too big to ride around town," he added. "I just want the other bike back in one piece."

Police spokesman David Campbell said: "Des and his unicycle are well known in Banbury. It shouldn't be too difficult to spot."

Officers do have a suspect for the crime - a man in his mid 20s, of slim build, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, and described as smartly dressed.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.