THIEVES stole three tricycles from a children’s charity.

Staff at Parc Essex, a charity for children with disabilities based at Great Notley Country Park, returned after Christmas to find three metal tricycles had been stolen.

Jade Burfield, centre manager, said: “A lot of our children struggle with their coordination and balance to ride a normal bike and we got these ones specially so they could participate in the activities with the rest of the children.

“Now they will miss out.” The bikes cost about £200 each.

Two are medium size with blue frames, chrome wheels and handle bars and silver mud guards and fixings.

The other is a small red tricycle with a Fireman Sam design.

Mrs Burfield added: “It seems particularly heartless they were taken just before Christmas.

“We will have to look for additional funding or do some fundraising as we will have to replace them.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101.