Burglars have stolen a pensioner's two mobility scooters from a shed.

A 72-year-old man who suffers from arthritis contacted police reporting that his mobility scooter, worth £1,000 had been taken.

The scooter is maroon-coloured and has flashing lights.

Also gone is a blue scooter, worth £300. It had belonged to the man’s sister before she died so he had kept for sentimental reasons and as a back-up to his main scooter. He told Kent Police it had been signed by several footballers.

The thefts are thought to have happened between Sunday, December 15 and 11am on Wednesday, December 19, when the theft was discovered by the man's son.

A glass table worth £50 has also been taken.

Insp Nick Sparkes said: “To take an elderly man’s means of transport so close to Christmas shows the heartless burglars in this case have no concern whatsoever for their victim’s needs, happiness or his health. No-one could condone this crime in any way.

“It is particularly heart-wrenching that one of the scooters had once belonged to the victim’s deceased sister. It held great sentimental value to him and he is desperate to get it back."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting the crime reference YY/023516/12.