Thieves have robbed a 10-year-old Dartmouth youngster of the rehabilitation help he needs by stealing a pair of kayaks.

Going out in the kayaks with his parents on the Dart is the only exercise and enjoyment that wheelchair bound Oscar Knight can take part in.

But now the kayaks they use have been stolen – taken from where they were stored in Warfleet Creek, probably on Friday night last week.

Oscar's mum Natasha said: 'It is horrible that this has happened in Dartmouth and it has taken away a simple enjoyment and means of exercise from Oscar.

'We are all very disappointed. It is a big blow to Oscar. We found something in all his illness that he enjoyed and we could all do together and that has now gone.'

The lime green kayaks, worth £700, belong to Jo Smith, who runs the Vintage Velvet boutique in the market, and furniture maker Michael Pearson, who live in Above Town.

They regularly loaned them to young Oscar and his family to help with the youngster's vital rehabilitation.

Oscar suffers from a disorder of the nervous system called complex regional pain syndrome, which has left him in increasing pain since he was just five years old.

He was wheelchair bound until he underwent intensive physiotherapy at world-famous Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London earlier this year.

The youngster was able to go to school after the hospital treatment but in June he suffered a major relapse and is now confined to a wheelchair again.

For the full story see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle