A KIDDERMINSTER teenager and his family suffered a miserable end to 2005 after thieves stole two of their scooters in the space of six weeks.

Sixteen-year-old Andrew Simpson was left "devastated" after both bikes, which were locked with chains, were taken from separate Wyre Forest driveways.

The first scooter, which was taken from the family home in Hawford Avenue in late November, was a red Vespa Piaggio Zip 50 model.

Thieves made off with the second machine on Christmas Eve, while it was parked on his girlfriend's drive, in Larford Walk, Stourport.

The yellow and silver Vespa Piaggio NRG, which had the registration HF03 VTK, was removed between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Jane McSorley, Andrew's mother, said the incidents had left a cloud over the holiday celebrations and she could not afford to buy her son a third scooter.

She added: "We just cannot believe what has happened. Once was bad enough but when the second was taken it was like a bad dream.

"He could not have done any more because both bikes were locked up. He used them to get to school and also to travel to his part-time job."

The scooters cost more than £1,000 and the family had to make a 300-mile round trip to Hampshire to collect the second one.

Andrew, who attends Baxter College, said: "I looked out the window and could not see it on the drive. I was just really shocked and could not believe it had happened again.

"It has wound me up and I feel devastated. The second one was bought for me as a Christmas present. It ruined all the celebrations for me."

The family are offering a reward of £100 for people who give information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.

Anyone who knows anything should contact Kidderminster police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.