A LITTLE boy's tears have turned to joy thanks to a sharp-eyed Bury Times reader.

Just days after we reported that Tom Morris's KTM trials motorbike had been stolen, the heartbroken 11-year-old has been reunited with his off-road machine.

A delighted Tom is pictured with the recovered bicycle.

Last Friday (Sept 6), the Bury Times published a photograph of Tom on his bike and an appeal by his father, Steve, for its return. The motorbike had been stolen from a lock-up storage unit at Peel Mills while the family were on holiday.

On Wednesday (Sept 11), however, a reader was using a payphone next to the Jolly Wagoners pub in Manchester Road when he noticed two men loading a bike into a van.

He recognised the bike and alerted the police. Following extensive inquiries officers then traced the £1,000 machine to a house in Radcliffe.

It had been bought by a woman for £500 who was unaware it had been stolen.

Tom's dad, Steve, said: "The Bury Times and this reader have helped to find Tom's bike. I cannot thank them enough.

"Tom was heartbroken that it had been stolen. But he is over the moon to have it back. A large amount of damage has been caused to the bike but it won't take long to get it back up to scratch."

The reader, who has not been identified by police, is now in line to receive a reward after he contacted the police through their Crimestoppers hotline.