POLICE are appealing for help following the theft of an £800 customised BMX bike in Tavistock, which left its 13-year-old owner devastated.

The distinctive bike was stolen from outside the kebab shop in King Street on August 12 while its owner, Charlie Honey, went in to get some food at around 8.45pm.

Police have examined CCTV footage of the area and would like assistance in identifying the man shown in the picture on the right. He is wearing a green hoody and pale jeans and is smoking a cigarette.

Charlie had saved all his Christmas and birthday money and worked after school for a year, labouring, to earn the money.

His mother, Jayne Taylor, said Charlie was 'absolutely gutted' as the bike was his pride and joy.

'He bought the individual bits and made it himself and there is no other bike like it,' she said.

'He goes to the skatepark here in town, on the BMX trails and I take him to the Launceston skatepark. Any spare time he has he is on the bike.'

She added that Charlie, family members and friends had all been looking for the bike but to no avail.

The BMX has a gold volume zombie frame with gold handle bars and black forks, chrome back wheel and wheel hub, chrome cranks and clear, studded pedals. It has a LiferBMX sticker on it.

If anyone can help the police they should call PC Carroll at Charles Cross Police Station investigation team in Plymouth on 08452 777444.