TEENAGER Antony Rothwell turned detective to track down a pair of stolen mountain bikes.

The 16-year-old schoolboy refused to give up the search after thieves stole his and his brother Daniel's bikes from an outside shed.

A month later delighted Daniel, aged 13, is back in the saddle of his £200 black and silver Couger XL after Antony found it for sale in a town centre secondhand shop.

But disappointed Antony, of Park Road, Little Lever, is still without his wheels because his virtually identical bike was sold last Saturday.

Now his mother Janet is appealing for the person who bought the bike from the Cash Generator shop on Bradshawgate to give it back.

She said: "He had the bike at Christmas to replace one stolen in November and was devastated when it was pinched.

"He never gave up looking for it and searched all the estates around Bolton.

"Daniel was doing somersaults when he got his bike back but I feel really sorry for Antony. He was so determined to find it and now this happens.

"I know it is doubtful, but maybe the person who bought it will give it back to him."

Cash Generator director Jim Walker said: "We bought the bikes in good faith and paid out good money for them.

"Mountain bikes are a high risk product and we follow very strict procedures before we take them.

"On the very rare occasion we find ourselves in possession of stolen property, we have a policy to restore it to its rightful owner, stand the loss and assist the police at all times.

"This is what happened in this case."

However, Mr Walker says he will not refund the customer their £130 if they return Antony's bike to him.

He added: "I have every sympathy with him but we are the victims too.

"I do not see why Cash Generator should lose any more money, but if someone does come forward maybe I will review my decision."

Acting on information supplied by the shop, police arrested a man in connection with the theft.

Mrs Rothwell can be reached on Bolton 410663.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.