Seven special tricycles have been stolen from a nursery where disabled and able-bodied toddlers play together - but three were later returned by an unknown youth who then ran off.

Staff and children at the Wedgwood Nursery, in Holme Wood, arrived yesterday morning to find burglars had broken into the school garage and stolen the bikes - costing £150 each.

Three were returned yesterday afternoon but four bikes are still missing and police at Dudley Hill are investigating.

Jean Godward is head teacher of the nursery which has 49 children, ten of whom have special needs.

She said: "The children are very disappointed. They liked playing on them every day and it just adds to the stress of the staff."

The yellow sturdily-built tricycles were particularly favoured by the disabled children who used them to get around the playground.

Parent governor at the school Summina Pedder said: "I am annoyed because the handicapped children have been deprived of their stuff. They are stuck in their wheelchairs and other children are running around."

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