ARTHRITIS sufferer Darren Smith spent years realising his dream of riding a bike but within months his specially-adapted cycle had been stolen.

It took the 32-year-old, who has severe arthritis, several years to find a company willing to construct the special pedals that enabled him to start cycling.

He bought a £250 mountain bike and spent a further £540 having the pedals made and fitted.

But three months later the bike was stolen from his work van when it was parked outside his Purton home. His wife Sarah's bike was also stolen.

"I couldn't believe it at first but now I am just annoyed because the pedals are useless to anyone else," said Mr Smith, who works as an IT support engineer.

He accepts there is little chance of recovering the bikes but hopes somebody might know where the pedals have been dumped.

He said: "They are probably rotting away in a ditch somewhere. The thieves will have had absolutely no use for them. I am just hoping they might be handed in."

Shortly before the theft Mr Smith's insurance policy expired, which means he is not able to make a claim. He doubts he will be able to afford to replace the pedals.

Mr Smith who grew up in Devon, developed arthritis when he was just 18 months old. All the joints in his body began to seize up, leading to mobility problems.

They worsened as he grew older, and at 25 he underwent hip replacement surgery to ease the pain.

Four years later, his other hip was replaced. He was left hardly able to bend his knees and certain that he would never be able to ride a bike.

However, browsing the internet earlier this year he came across a Somerset company which specialised in adapting bikes for users who have disabilities.

After being advised by doctors that cycling might help to build up his muscles, Mr Smith spent his savings on the pedals.

He said the first time he used his new bike was brilliant. "My wife and I went for a ride through Minety. My muscles are weak so I couldn't take things too fast, but we had a great time."

On November 21, Mr Smith noticed the doors on his white Citroen van were open.

A thief had broken in, stealing both the bikes and the van's battery.

He had been storing the bikes in the van because there was no space in his one-bedroom flat.

If you can help him find the pedals, call Swindon Police on (01793) 528111. The company that made the pedals can be contacted via www. Unicamltd.co.uk.