The Claud Butler bike stolen from Devizes grandfather Jeffrey Meddings has been found, but in bits.

Mr Medding’s locked bike was taken from outside St John’s Church in Devizes while he was taking part in a rehearsal of Devizes Choral Society on March 27.

A few days after the theft was reported in the Gazette a member of the public spotted a Claud Butler bicycle frame dumped in scrubland behind West View Crescent.

Retired teacher Mr Meddings, 72, has identified it as his treasured bike but missing are the tyres and handlebars. He said: “I am as impressed by the public spirited action of my fellow citizen as I am angered by the wanton vandalism of the thief. I liken it to stealing a Ferrari in order to fit the steering wheel in a Mini.

“The bitter sweet element is that it will cost as much to rebuild as it would to buy a new cycle, in the region of £400.”