Christmas came a week early for 10-year-old Ryan Bentley when his stolen BMX was returned safe and sound.

The bike was taken from the porch of his home in Blackburn Road, Rishton, on Sunday, December 8.

A picture of the blue and white Barracuda Mojo BMX was recognised by a Lancashire Evening Telegraph reader.

Ryan's Father, Bernard Bentley, 41, said: "People who bought the bike rang Crimestoppers when they realised it was identical to the picture in the Telegraph.

"We then got a call from the police and, sure enough when we saw it, it was Ryan's bike.

"He's absolutely thrilled to bits."

The BMX was stolen days after Great Harwood police launched the Christmas Presence initiative to sweep crime off the streets.

They have targeted specific hot-spots with community warden beats.

The number of burglaries in the area doubled in the same period last year.

There were 65 domestic burglaries in Accrington borough, 66 vehicle crimes and 17 thefts from the person reported.