An 86-year-old man bitten by a dog cycled 16 miles for hospital treatment - before having his bike stolen.

Bob Friend, from Minster, rode to the emergency department at the QEQM hospital in Margate for treatment after being bitten by a dog in Canterbury.

But when he left the hospital the following morning he discovered that his treasured racing bike was not where he had left it.

And his daughter, Diane Robertson from Ramsgate, has made an appeal on Facebook for the return of the bike.

Ms Robertson said: "Dad is more upset about his bike being taken than he is about the dog bite.

"To steal something from outside a hospital is pretty low.

"He does still drive but he goes everywhere on the bike because he prefers it. He also finds it more comfortable than walking because he has back problems.

"To steal something from outside a hospital is pretty low." - Diane Robertson

"He will do 100 miles a day on the bike quite happily and regularly visits my aunts in Gloucestershire and Brighton on it."

Mr Friend was cycling in Canterbury last Thursday when the incident happened.

He was bitten on the left calf but carried on to meet friends in Wickhambreaux, where he checked his injury.

Ms Robertson said: "He took a look at the wound and then decided to cycle back to Minster to visit his GP.

"But the surgery was closed for the day so he carried on to the hospital A&E department.

"They admitted him overnight and when he came out the next day, the bike had gone.

"The chain was also missing so we think the lock must have been picked."

"He's had it for 14 years and has cycled over 133,000 miles in it."

The missing cycle is a Thorne Audax racing bike, blue, with front hub Dynamo, bar bag at the front and a BMW badge.

It is also equipped with a rack bag at the rear containing water proofs, tools, spare tube and lights.

Mr Friend is now recovering at home after a skin graft on Thursday at a hospital in East Grinstead.

Ms Robertson said: "The bike was worth more than £1,000 when he bought it, although it wouldn't be worth as much now as he's had it for so long.

"It's more about the sentimental value because of how long he's owned it and how far he's travelled on it."