A disabled man from Manchester had his mountain bike stolen after he had to evacuate his flooded home.

Storm Frank left Michael Law’s house one metre under water and without power. The 45 year old was forced to stay at different friends’ houses on 29 and 30 December then returned to his home in Ramsbottom to find his £1,000 Boardman bike had been looted.

Mr Law was wheelchair bound after having been hit by a bus 25 years ago. He used the bike to aid his recovery and had completed several chairty rides using it. It is described as a silver Boardman with black writing.

Wendy Law, Mr Law’s mother, told The Mirror: “The bike has been very important since his accident. He was determined to walk and found that the bike was one way he could get about more.

“He has been very supportive and got me through these last few days saying ‘don’t be down, they are only items’, but he is upset. He is down about it. I hope these scum fall in the river.”

PC Alan Malkin from Lancashire police, said: “To see the damage caused by flooding alone is bad enough but it is made all the more tragic by the fact that the victims’ house was ransacked by burglars while they were away.

“The mountain bike meant a great deal to the victim, after he had suffered a road traffic accident the bike has been part of his physical recovery process.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting crime reference EF1512236 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org .