DEDICATED care worker Pat Drage has been left stranded after a thief stole her bike during a visit to an elderly client in Weymouth.

Mrs Drage's bike was snatched from the pensioner's front garden in Abbotsbury Road.

A neighbour saw the thief, who is described as a 'young lad', riding away on the bike last Saturday morning.

The theft means 61-year-old grandmother Mrs Drage is forced to walk several miles a day to see elderly clients across the Westham area.

Caring Mrs Drage, of Corporation Road, has been employed by Dorset social services as a home help with the elderly since her husband Dave died 14 years ago.

She visits pensioners who need help washing, dressing and cooking meals three times a day.

Her rounds can take her to up to eight different homes a day, five days a week.

She said: "It was a shock to find my bike gone.

"I have been doing this job for many years and nobody has ever tried to take it before.

"I thought it would be safe in the garden. I love my job and I won't let this stop me.

"I am walking from house to house at the moment, but journeys that only take ten minutes by bike can take twice that on foot. My bike is essential to the job and I am desperate to get it back. One of my sons bought it for me three years ago.

"If it is not returned I will have to think about buying a second-hand one, as I couldn't afford to replace it with a new one."

The ladies' bike is made by Universal, grey in colour and has stickers with Westham Cycles written on them.

Mrs Drage added: "I hope the young lad might return it, or perhaps the bike has been dumped and someone has seen it.

"It is very inconvenient trying to get around without it and I would really appreciate getting it back."

nAnyone with information is asked to contact Weymouth police station on (01305) 220512 or Tim Champion at the Echo on (01305) 830983.