THIS bike-mad paperboy has been left "devastated" after thieves stole his pride and joy - a £500 mountain bike.

Thirteen-year-old Evening Press deliver boy Carl Holliday has put out a plea to whoever took his Hard Rock Pro 01 bike from outside Tesco Extra in Acomb Park, York, on Sunday to return it.

He said he has been left "devastated and heartbroken" after opportunist thieves pinched his bike while he went into the store to get a Mars Bar, leaving the bike with a friend.

In the moments it took for him to go into Tesco a man wearing a cap and hooded top snatched the bike and rode off.

Carl and his mum, Carole, of Bellhouse Way, Foxwood, have since reported the theft to the police and scoured the area looking for the bike, but to no avail.

They have even put up notices locally, offering a £25 reward for the return of the bike in perfect condition.

The bike was bought in November 2001 as an early Christmas present and Carl, who goes to Oaklands School, has barely been parted from it since.

Carole said: "Carl has dyslexia and he struggles at school, but he joined the mountain biking club at school and now he goes out every Friday night with them to Dalby Forest.

"He just absolutely loves that bike and he feels gutted that somebody could do this.

"Any pocket money he gets goes on buying something new for the bike and they know him by name at Bob Trotter's bike shop, where we got it, as he's in there so often."

Tomorrow, Carl will be 15 and his mum has bought him all the protective pads he needs for off-road cycling, but Carole says they will be of little use without the bike.

The police arrived at the store within 20 minutes of the theft and have been given the store's CCTV footage which clearly shows a hooded figure riding away on Carl's bike.

Carole said: "We just want it back in one piece. It is security coded so it will be easily identifiable to the police, and if anyone has been offered it I would ask them to please get in touch."

Carl is now looking at having to do his paper round on foot in future.

"I just like it so much I go out on it every day after school and now I just feel so sad," said Carl.

Anyone who thinks they can help Carl find his bike should phone Carole on 01904 781041.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, June 14, 2005