A THIEF stole a rare mountain bike from a shop window - but couldn't use it for a quick getaway.

The rare £350 bike was on display in the window of the Animal clothes shop in Regent Street when it was stolen.

But because the wheels on the expensive bike didn't work, the thief would have had to carry it through the town centre.

The unique bike was going to be given away as a competition prize, but was snatched from the shop's window display, last Wednesday.

Store supervisor Sharon Miles said: "We don't know exactly what time it was taken, but we think in the afternoon.

"When I went to close the shutters at the end of the day, it wasn't there.

"We couldn't believe it. It seems really mean as it was going to be given away.

"Whoever stole it wouldn't even have been able to ride it away. We built it just for the window display and the wheels didn't go round.

"Nobody saw it go.

"A couple of guys came in acting a bit odd. One of them asked for a job and distracted staff and the other one could have taken it then.

"And our CCTV wasn't working. It stopped a couple of days before."

Shop staff are hoping someone will recognise the blue bike, with Animal written in large white letters on the crossbars. It is thought to be the only bike like it in the country.

Other branches of the Animal store are also running competitions, but they are not due to close until the end of June, meaning the stolen bike is the only one in Britain.

PC Mike Simms has appealed for anyone who has seen the bike to contact the police.

"We are appealing for witnesses," said PC Simms.

"This bike is completely unique and not available in this country at all.

"They had it on display right by the front door so all the customers could see it and someone walked off with it."

Anyone who has seen the distinctive bike should contact PC Simms on 0845 408 7000.