A SERIOUSLY ill boy had his favourite toys stolen — while he was being treated in hospital.

Leyton Edwards has been left devastated after his classic toy cars, which were worth more than £300, were taken as he was receiving dialysis.

The 10-year-old from Walkden has twice-weekly dialysis at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after both his kidneys failed in April.

He also suffers from autism and spends so much time in hospital he has his lessons there.

Leyton's devastated mum, Rachael Edwards, aged 26, of Avon Close, said: “It's been a horrific year for the family as we had to cancel a holiday to Salou, when he had kidney failure. The toy theft just topped it all off really.”

Leyont, who was born with no immune system and spent the first two years of his years in hospital, kept his precious toys in a box underneath his wheelchair.

But the wheelchair was stolen while he was receiving treatment between September 26 and October 3.

It was returned — but the box containing the cars was missing.

His grandfather, Peter Edwards, who bought him a Japanese car for his collection and is his full-time carer, said: “Not only are they of financial value, they’re sentimental too. With him having autism, he picks out his favourites — which mean a lot to him.”

Police are investigating the theft and hospital bosses are urging people to be vigilent with their property.

A spokesman for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital said: “We are sorry to hear of this and regret any distress caused to the family. We encourage patients and visitors to keep their property safe and attended at all times.”

And neighbours and friends have rallied round since the theft to replace as many of Leyton's toys as possible.

Janet O’Shaughnessy, administrator of Walkden Community, a Facebook group, said people wanted to do all they could to help after learning what had happened to Leyton on the social networking website page.

The 45-year-old said: “I was aware that some of Leyton's toys were collectable items, so therefore it would be easy for somebody to identify them should they be offered for sale. Local people, kindly gave him their own collectable toys to cheer him up.”

Nicky Jones has donated his own classic car collection.

He said: “It was heartbreaking. I knew the little boy would take very good care of my car collection, even though I had been collecting those cars for more than 10 years.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5608 or Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.