A SCHOOLBOY has had two mountain bikes snatched in eight weeks - by adults.

In the latest theft, Daniel Humphries, aged eight, from Hatfield Road, Halliwell, was approached in nearby Eskrick Street by a man and a woman pushing a baby in a pram.

According to mum Karen, the man asked Daniel for a ride on his wine coloured Townsend mountain bike.

At first Daniel refused. But then the man, who was in his late 20s, told the boy to take two CDs as surety.

Karen said: "He told Daniel that if he cycled off with his bike he could keep the CDs. "He's only eight and the man was tapping a pen knife against his leg all the time. Daniel was terrified."

As the man fled on the bike the woman and baby got into a car and drove off.

Karen said: "This is the second time this has happened in eight weeks. The other time, two men followed him and asked him for a go on the bike and then they pinched it.

"He lives for his bike and I just can't afford to buy him another one." She added: "I want people to know about this because I'd hate to think of other children going through it." The first bike snatched was a black Townsend mountain bike.

Anyone with any details of the bikes, each worth £150,should ring Karen on Bolton 415732.

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