A KIND Samaritan has come forward to give a young carer a new bike after it was stolen from his front garden.

Michael Bodycombe, 12, discovered his burgundy mountain bike had been taken from his home in St Swithins Avenue in Bridport last month.

The young carer looks after his mother Kelly, who suffers from mental health problems and father Simon, who is recovery following back surgery. Michael relies on the bike to help out his parents.

After an appeal in the Bridport & Lyme Regis News, a family friend contacted Michael's mum Kelly and provided a new bike after seeing how much Michael does for his parents as a young carer.

The Samaritan did not want to be identified, but the Sir John Colfox Academy student now has a shiny new bicycle.

"I'm so pleased and I cannot believe it really." said Michael. "It's an Apollo Evade bike which is quite similar to my last one. It's brilliant.

"I use it when I go out and pick up things for my family when they are not well, so I'm really pleased to have it back again."

Michael relies on his bike to fetch prescriptions and important items for his parents from town, when they are unable to do so. He also loves riding his bike to get away from the stresses of being a young carer and meet up with his friends.

Kelly said it was amazing how kind people can be.

"It really is fantastic" she said. "He's got a huge smile on his face now.

"It is a massive relief to us all because we relied on it so much and Michael really did miss having his bike.

"We were very shocked and so pleased that someone has decided to come forward. It's extremely kind of them and they did not want any publicity or praise for it. It is amazing that there are such good people out there who are willing to do such kind things.

"They said they didn't realise how much Michael relies on the bike and how much help he gives us as a young carer, so they wanted to help out and we are extremely grateful."

The News was also contacted by another good Samaritan Russell Robson from Beaminster with a bicycle his own daughter no longer used.