TOTS have been left heartbroken after burglars stole three specially made bikes worth about £1,500 from a school.

Two crooks were captured on CCTV breaking into a shed at Newtown Pre-School and Playgroup in the grounds of Queen’s Park Primary on Rivington Road and making off with the equipment.

Lyn Birchall, assistant manager at the group, said the children are “devastated” by the theft.

She said: “I had to show one little boy the empty shed because he was so upset. The children used them quite a lot and when the weather’s ok, every day.

“They are distinctive because there are no peddles on them so you use your body to move them. We can’t just go out and get replacements they have to be imported from Germany.”

Lyn said they have CCTV footage which will be passed on to the police showing two people breaking into the shed. She said that they believe they climbed a roof and two fences to get to it.

She said: “Hopefully someone will spot them and is more interested in returning the equipment to the children.

“The police can try and catch the people but we just want the bikes back.”

A police spokesman confirmed that an investigation has been launched and officers are in the process of making enquiries.

Lyn described the Olifu Bikez as “distinctive” and look more like a go-kart. She said the bikes that were taken are black with a green trim and writing.