AN EIGHT-year-old girl has been left ‘heartbroken’ after her bike was stolen from outside a friend’s house.

Courtney Walsh had ridden her £200 pink bicycle, which was bought as a birthday present, to her pal’s in Garner Avenue, Fernhurst, Blackburn, and left it in the front garden.

But then a teenage yob helped himself to the Mongoose BMX and was last seen heading towards Ewood Park and Higher Croft.

Now Courtney’s family have launched an appeal in a bid to get the bike back, which was stolen just weeks after the youngster was released from hospital after a cleft repair operation.

Grandmother Sandra Cowell, 50, said: “Her friend Lucy’s mum and dad saw this lad take the bike but they couldn’t stop him.

“Courtney is absolutely heartbroken. This was bought for her seventh birthday and she would not go out without it.

“Whoever did this is a total low-life. I cannot believe anyone would steal a young girl’s bike like this.”

She said Courtney, of Campbell Close, Fernhurst, had been crying since the bike was taken but ‘did not understand’ why someone would steal it.

Mrs Cowell had since driven round in a bid to track it down but without success.

Courtney, a pupil at Redeemer CEP Primary School, said: “I have been really angry about it but I just want it back.”

The youngster is due back at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital later this year following surgery on her mouth last month.

The thief is described as a white male aged 14 or 15 and was wearing a turqouise t-shirt.

The incident took place at about 7pm last Saturday.

Call police on 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.