A thief ‘stole a bike’ gifted to a Reading woman for Christmas 51 years ago by her now deceased parents.

Michelle Lay, 63, from Tilehurst, had kept the bicycle in working order since her age 11 until it was stolen from outside Waitrose in Oxford Road on October 17, she said.

“It was horrible, I had just come out of Waitrose – I was only in there about 12 minutes to get four things- and I came out and I was just dumbfounded,” she said.

“I stood there, and it wasn’t there. I looked and I ran up the path to see if I could see anybody.”

Ms Lay has put up posters and asked her friends for help appealing for help finding the item of sentimental value.

So far she has received one report from a resident who believes they saw it being ridden in Nortcot Hill.

Reading Chronicle: Michelle Lay's bikeMichelle Lay's bike (Image: Michelle Lay)

“It would mean everything, I would be the happiest girl in the world. Because I get so sad and so lost without it.

She continued: “My mother and father bought it for me and they’re not here anymore.”

Thames Valley Police conformed they received a report of a theft of a pedal cycle at around 1pm.

Following an investigation, the report was filed pending further information coming to light, according to a spokesperson.

They said: “If anyone has any information relating to this, they should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43220466885.”