WHEN a three-year-old's treasured bike was stolen shortly after Christmas, Penketh firefighters were determined to put a smile back on his face.

Bobby Marshall, from Chapelford, received his dream present for Christmas; a 12-volt electric BMW bike.

The youngster was then left devastated when it was stolen from his home on Sunday, January 12.

Reading about the theft on social media, Penketh firefighter Andy Jones and his colleagues managed to raise enough money to buy a replacement.

Andy presented Bobby with his new electric police motorbike at his home yesterday, Tuesday.

Single mum Victoria, 34, said: "Bobby is so happy to have his beloved electric motorbike back and to be able to ride around on it pretending to be a policeman again.

"After asking for one for six months and with it being all that he wanted for Christmas, he was absolutely devastated when I told him that his present had been stolen.

"I took him out riding on it regularly after Santa had delivered the bike to him, but as I have mobility problems I am unable to take it back up to our apartment.

"I was leaving it in a communal area on the ground floor of the secure building and arranging for my kind neighbour Jessica Devon to bring it back up for us.

"Jessica put a post on social media about the theft, and a few weeks later Andy contacted me and said that he and his fellow firefighters based in Penketh had been so moved by the story that they had bought Bobby the exact same bike that he had lost.

"The bike costs £180 and I don’t know anyone at Penketh Fire Station.

"For strangers to have bought my son such an expensive bike has restored my faith in humanity."

Andy, who was delighted to see Bobby happy with his new gift, added: "Stealing a three-year-old boy’s new bike weeks after Christmas is truly disgusting behaviour.

"When I read about what had happened to little Bobby I immediately wanted to help him get his bike back.

"Thankfully we were able to raise enough money from a whip-round at the fire station to buy him a new electric motorbike.

"It was great seeing Bobby reunited with his dream Christmas present and we are delighted that he is a happy boy again."