THIEVES who stole a bike used to deliver fresh vegetables to Oxford’s residents have been labelled “pathetic”.

Andy Bell’s ‘bike van’ was stolen from outside his home in Golden Road, East Oxford, in the early hours of Friday.

He uses the bike, which has a large trailer on the back, to deliver vegetable boxes to homes, including those in the Jericho and Abingdon Road areas.

Although the bicycle has little monetary value, it is vital to Mr Bell’s delivery business Veg in Clover.

Mr Bell, pictured with the bike, said: “I can’t believe it is any use to anyone apart from me, or someone doing something very similar to me. I’m very angry that someone would take it.”

Mr Bell bought the bike, which was a prototype by a designer to test the concept, about eight years ago for about £1,000.

Just before midnight on Friday, city councillor Tony Brett saw the bike being cycled near his home in Saunders Road, Oxford.

Mr Brett, the Saunders Road and Reliance Way Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, thought it was suspicious and reported the incident to police.

Mr Brett said: “I think it is pathetic that someone would do this. No-one has got any use for it unless you are running a delivery business — it’s huge.”

Anyone with information about the theft should contact police on 101.