A DISABLED York pensioner has been left stranded, after his motorised bicycle was stolen while he enjoyed a Christmas drink.

The specially-adapted bike was stolen while Harry Walker, 87, who lives in Burlington Avenue, Tang Hall, was visiting Tang Hall Working Men's Club, in Hull Road.

He now has to pay for taxis to get out of his house, and is facing a £500 bill to replace the bike.

Harry, who lives with his house-bound wife Audrey, locked the bike outside the club on Christmas Eve.

He went in for a drink just after 3pm, but when he returned an hour later, his bike was gone. It is believed the cables on the lock were cut.

The bike was the only way that Harry, who has been left frail by the chronic lung disease emphysema, is able to get around.

His daughter, Jackie, said the bike gave her father a bit of independence and without it he was stranded.

She said: "He cannot walk far - sometimes it takes him all his time to get into the kitchen.

"He is stranded without it and will have to get taxis to go anywhere."

It is the second time in less than two years Harry has been left without the bike.

In February 2002 after he locked the bike outside Kwik Save store in Hull Road, youths took the battery from the bike and ripped out the wiring.

Jackie has appealed for any witnesses to come forward and is convinced someone must have information.

The bike cost about £500, and Jackie is hoping to claim the cost back on insurance, but her father was concerned it could push up his insurance costs.

She is hoping that someone might come forward and tell the police where the bike is and is convinced someone must have seen the thief riding the distinctive bike around.

She said: "We want someone to come forward. I think some on must have seen som ething."

Anyone with information should phone York Police on 01904 669884.

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, December 31, 2003