A BURNLEY pensioner who had his mobility scooter stolen and destroyed by vandals is back on the road thanks to a local company.

Former Royal Marine 85-year-old George Marsden had his scooter taken from outside his house in Pheasantford Green, leaving him housebound.

The scooter was later found in Burnley’s Queen’s Park, but it had been completely destroyed, with the tyres punctured, wiring ripped out, and the seat broken.

Since The Lancashire Telegraph published Mr Marsden’s story on Thursday he was inundated with offers to help him get out and about.

One ex-Royal Marine Commando offered to start a collection among other former Marines to raise enough funds to enable Mr Marsden to get “back on the road”.

And several East Lancashire residents offered to donate spare mobility scooters that they had at home.

Two local companies also came forward to offer a new scooter to Mr Marsden.

Burnley company Jay-Care offered him a choice of two scooters, and Accrington-based Miller Care also stepped up and offered to donate a mobility vehicle.

Mr Marsden accepted the first offer, from Jay-Care, and his scooter was delivered yesterday morning.

Paul Anderson, managing director of Jay-Care, said: “I read the story about the gentleman who has had his mobility scooter stolen and damaged in Burnley.

“It is disgusting somebody would do this.

“It’s disgraceful that somebody could do what they did, it just gripes me so much.

“As a disabled person he lost his independence, it’s terrible.

“It’s very rare this happens but when I saw the story I couldn’t have ignored it.

“When we gave him the scooter he had a big smile on his face.”

Mr Marsden said he was delighted by all the offers of help.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, I feel great.

“The scooter is lovely, it’s brand new. I love it, it’s really great.

“It does twenty miles without charge, it’s great.

“I’ve been out on it this morning, I went up to Oddies to get some bread, it got me out.

“I would like to thank everyone that offered to help.”