A mum has launched an appeal after her son's bike, which has sentimental value, was stolen.

Jade Freeman took to Facebook after her son's white GT bike was taken from outside a shop in Penenden Heath, Maidstone, this morning.

She reports that it was stolen around 6am from outside the shops on Boxley Road.

The bike is white with black paint specks, has white rims and a black seat.

Her son, Bradley, has done a paper round from the McColls shop for almost three years, and has never had any problems before.

The 16-year-old left his bike outside the shop while he went to collect the papers, and when he came back, it was gone.

CCTV from McColls and Londis have been checked, but unfortunately, neither of them show the thief.

A nearby off licence also failed to catch the culprit, as its CCTV is inside the store and the shutters were still down.

Mrs Freeman wrote: "This bike not only meant a lot my son but also to the person that gave my son this bike, so we are determined to get it back ASAP."

The bike was a gift to Bradley from a family friend who lives a few doors away from the Freemans, near Sandling Primary School.

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on 101 quoting crime reference number YY20877/16.