AN autistic man who had his beloved bike stolen has a new set of wheels after the public were moved by his plight.

People rallied behind Jay Grant, aged 21, of Margaret Road, St John's, Worcester, after his beloved bike was stolen from outside a club for people with Asperger's Syndrome in the city's Sansome Walk.

Mr Grant said his new bike, a Carrera Vengeance, has a tracker fitted by police which will allow officers to trace it should it be stolen.

As previously reported in the Worcester News he left the old bike, a Carrera Centos 13, locked up outside ASPIE on May 30, forgetting about it and walking home.

When he returned the next day he found his mountain bike was gone and he reported the theft immediately to West Mercia Police, walking to the police station in Castle Street.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Kathryn Blakeley who set up a Crowdfunding page after reading the story in the Worcester News £300 was raised to cover the cost of the new bike, Mr Grant putting in the last £40 himself from his savings.

Mr Grant said his bike helped him to make friends and have an active social life and a sense of independence which was important to him.

Teaching assistant Kathryn Blakeley, who set up the page which raised the funds, is a mum to three boys, and carer to her middle son who has autism.

Mr Grant said: "I have a new bike and am very happy. I feel a lot more proud of the community and I would like to give a big thanks to ASPIE for the emotional support as well as Kathryn Blakey for all the kind gestures and the setting up the just giving page and the general community that had a really strong heart and gave me my independence back.

"I'm back on the road and ready for full recovery and to improve my fitness."