A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy robbed by young thugs who stole his budget BMX has been given a brand new replacement.

Little Mathieu Culham was riding close to a pavilion in Old Heath Recreation Ground, Colchester, when he was targeted by the robbers who were both aged only about 11.

They pushed Mathieu off his bike, then grabbed it and fled in the direction of Brook Street.

The robbery happened yards from Mathieu’s Wimpole Road home and he was left screaming and sobbing.

When staff at Colchester's Halfords store in Cowdray Avenue read his story in the Gazette, they decided to cheer him up.

Manager Rob Bradbrook said: "I read the story after one of my team shared it on Facebook.

"It was a sad story to read.

"I wanted to give him a bit of faith. It is not all doom and gloom out there."

A member of Mr Bradbrook's team contacted the Gazette offering a new BMX to Mathieu and we put his mum Nicola Branscombe in touch with the store.

Mathieu, who attends St George's Infant School, went along with his mum to the store yesterday to pick out the model he liked.

Miss Branscombe, 39, said: "I didn't think there were people out there these days who were that kind.

"Mathieu is very excited. He said he couldn't wait to go and see the manager and said he wants to give him a hug."

The robbery happened at 6pm on September 8.

The stolen BMX, a red and black Avigo Mischief model, had been a Christmas present bought half price for about £70.

Anyone with information should call Dc Danielle Markoutsis at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.