A DISABLED woman left a prisoner in her own home after her motorised wheelchair was stolen has pleaded with the thieves for its return.

Heather Ellis, 57, was left stranded after her £18,000 people carrier containing the wheelchair was taken from outside her house in Brigsteer Close, Clayton-le-Moors.

The £2,500 chair, along with a special jelly cushion, ramps to get in and out of the car, and leg straps, was designed specially for Heather, who suffers from myalgic encephalomyletis (ME), a type of chronic flu, a prolapsed disc in her spine and osteoporosis.

Today she appealed to the thieves to give it back, saying: "This has left me in a real fix. I just can't believe somebody has stolen it. I'd only had the chair for about six months and now it's gone.

"I'd appeal with all my heart for whoever has taken it to give it back. It's of no use to anyone apart from me and I hate to think of it lying in a ditch somewhere.

"It could take weeks for the insurance to be sorted out and even then everything needs to be specially fitted again. I just want it back."

Husband Norman, 59, a retired social services manager, added: "This is really a devastating thing to happen. Heather needs that chair to get around. She can only move short distances without it in the house and recently she hasn't even been able to do that.

"What is also annoying is that we had had the car for only about 18 months. It was bought for us as a present by our son, who lives in America, because our old car was too small."

Police labelled the theft "despicable" and said they have launched an investigation. A second car was stolen from the same area on the same night and police believe the thefts may be linked.

The Shopmobility scheme in Accrington has provided Heather with a temporary wheelchair so she is not completely stuck in the house, but the replacement chair is not ideal as it was not designed for Heather.

Police are appealing for information on the theft of the people carrier, a Volkswagen Sharon registration W221DCK, and the second vehicle, a silver Mercedes 200 Compressor, which were both stolen between 9.30pm on Monday night and 6.30am on Tuesday morning, to call them on 01254 51212.