A PARAPLEGIC could become a prisoner in his own home after mean thieves stole his wheelchair.

The chair was vital in allowing 40-year-old Mr Stephen Bridge to get access to his car and to travel into town.

Although he is able to walk with the aid of crutches in his Rochdale Old Road home, the wheelchair was invaluable in providing him with mobility in the outside world.

It was stolen from near his back gate sometime on Friday and Mr Bridge is unable to comprehend how anyone could have taken it.

"I've had it for eight years and everyone around here knows the wheelchair belongs to me," he said. "I've lived in this house for a long time.

"It would be unfair to accuse anyone. But if kids have stolen it and are having rides on it, then all I can say is it's of no use to them."

Mr Bridge added: "It means getting around outside will not be as easy. I used the wheelchair to take me to my car so I could travel about and go to the shops.

"I had only gone into the house for a couple of minutes and when I came back out, it was gone."

Mr Bridge, who has suffered mobility problems since he was a child, said: "I rely on the wheelchair to take the weight off my legs. My knees get very tired."

The black and silver Barratt wheelchair is valued at around £200.

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