A FOOTBALL mad schoolboy had to walk to his weekly training session last night - because a thief stole his bike.

Nine-year-old Jack Barry used his midnight blue Apollo Excel to get to Northwick Lodge every week where he plays for the Northside Raiders.

But on Wednesday evening he left it outside some houses in Gheluvelt Park between 5pm and 5.55pm when it was stolen.

"It's made me sad as I'd only been riding it for a few weeks," Jack, from Pitchcroft Lane said.

Mrs Barry said that although Jack had the £100 bike for Christmas, she had only started letting him ride it after they moved from their house in Rainbow Hill in April.

"I was concerned about heavy traffic and would not let him on the road there," she said. "Since moving to Pitchcroft Lane, Jack has used the bike quite a lot."

"Unfortunately, I've not been able to persuade him to lock it up when he leaves it.

"His friend, who has an identical bike, locked his up and that was not taken, so this means Jack has learnt a hard lesson.

"As a single parent I can't afford to go straight out and buy him another one, so he is going to have to wait."

Jack's bike is blue and the front reflector is missing.

Anyone who knows anything about the theft - or knows where the bike is now - is urged to contact police on 08457 444888, quoting 427S/150605.