TWO school pals who had their bikes stolen while they played on the street have pleaded for their return.

Sean Flannery and Daniel Sutcliffe were waiting by a phonebox at Turncroft Road, Darwen with friends when three teenagers grabbed their bikes and rode off at about 8.30pm on Wednesday night.

"There was nothing I could do about it," said Sean, 12, of Cloister Drive. "These lads were bigger than me and I decided not to argue with them. I want my bike back."

Sean's mother Rosalind said: "At the time Sean was very upset. He broke down in tears. These teenagers who have done this are nothing short of cowards.

"Sean is getting over what happened."

Sean and Daniel, who is also 12, were among a group waiting by the phonebox for Daniel's brother Ryan, who was phoning his mum Pamela for a lift home to Higher Coney Farm near Darwen Tower.

"The bike was a Christmas present in 1999 and I was always using it. I could not do anything to try and stop them," said Daniel.

In all, Sean's silver BMX bike worth £100 and Daniel's £300 Mongoose bike were taken by the teenagers in an offence police described at the time as 'sickening'.

The pupils at Darwen Moorland High School passed on descriptions of two of the thieves.

One is aged about 17 had 'squinty' eyes. He was wearing a black woollen hat, black jeans and a zip-up jacket.

The other is aged 17 and is 5ft 6ins tall. He was wearing a cream woollen hat with red and blue stripes and a dark blue zip-up jacket.

Anyone with any information on the theft is asked to contact Darwen CID on 01254 353843.