A MUM hopes her daughter can be reunited with her stolen quad bike for her sixth birthday.

Vicki Merry believes the £700 bike has been sold in the Colchester area.

It was stolen at Christmas time from Vicki's mum's home in Hart's Lane, Ardleigh.

The bike was locked in a stable when crooks struck.

The quad bike was a Christmas present in 2015 for little Antonia, who turned six on Friday.

It was kept at her grandmother’s home because she used it on her land.

Vicki discovered it was stolen on New Years’ Eve but it taken anytime from Boxing Day.

Vicki, 42, of Honeysuckle Way, Witham, said she'd received a tip off via social media that the bike had been sold in the Colchester area in the last fortnight.

She added: "If you have seen it please let me or the police know, it would amazing if we could get it back for her birthday."

Police were also forced to apologise to Vicki after she reported the theft and they initially said they wouldn't investigate as the crime was “too petty”.

She even offered to take two saws used in the raid but left at the scene to Colchester Police Station, but her offer was refused.

The crooks had sawed through the chain and padlock the bike was locked up with.

After the Gazette first highlighted the issue, Essex Police said in a statement: “We would like to apologise to the victim, she was turned away when she offered to bring the saws in. These should have been given to our crime scene investigators.”

The saws have now been examined by forensics but this has not led to any leads.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101.