A HEARTLESS thief has robbed two youngsters of the chance to play with pals after snatching their bikes from outside their houses.

Jodie Eatough, five, and a friend had left their bicycles outside their homes in Danvers Street, Rishton, on Saturday evening while they went in for their tea.

But when they went to put the bikes away, they found they had been stolen.

Now the youngsters have to sit on the sidelines as the other children on the street enjoy the sunshine while riding their bikes.

Jodie's mum, Michelle, said: "She has been left very upset by it.

"Now that it is getting lighter she was getting the chance to play out more, get a bit of fresh air and some exercise. I can't believe someone would be so cruel as to steal bikes from kids."

The 40-year-old mother-of-two added: "Jodie only got the bike in February and this was her first real chance to go out on it.

"We live in a crescent, so someone would have had to walk up deliber-ately to get the bikes.

"They wouldn't have seen them by chance."

Jodie's bike, which cost £60, was pink with purple stabilisers and a doll basket on the back.

Her friend's mountain bike, worth £70, was red with Scooter written on the side, and was covered in skateboard stickers.

Mrs Eatough said: "I will be getting Jodie a new bike and she will be a bit more careful with it, but this is not a very nice lesson for a five-year-old to learn."

Anyone with any information about the bike thefts is asked to contact Great Harwood police on 01254 51212.