A WOMAN who helped brighten up people's days by devising a “Spot the Minion” challenge is now appealing for help after her scooter was stolen.

Chellsi McGarry first started walking around town in her Minion costume to cheer both herself and others up after a tragic miscarriage in March.

She attracted a popular following with her Spot the Minion Facebook page, but was shocked last week when she was targeted by thieves, who stole her moped style scooter, which was parked outside the nursery she works at.

Ms McGarry said: “I use my moped every single day to get to and from work, I work really hard.

“On Wednesday November 17 outside my place of work, Happitots private day nursery in Westhoughton, three lads angle grinded the chain off my bike that was chained to the railing at the front and stole it.

“There were other bikes stolen that day too I have been informed.

“These lads need stopping, they call themselves the Repo gang.”

Ms McGarry has become well known in the area thanks to Spot the Minion and has often been seen in her costume walking around Bolton waving at passing cars and families.

Her walks provoked a warm response from the community with children waving and cars beeping their horns at Ms McGarry.

One woman even stopped her to say the costume had cheered her up after spending her first Mothers Day without her own mum.

Now though, Ms McGarry says that she is “absolutely devastated” by the theft and has spoken to the police along with her insurance provider.

She hopes that members of the community will be able to help her recover the stolen scooter and has shared photos of the gang in the act outside the Chorley Road nursery in the hope that someone may recognise them or it may encourage people to come forward.

This will also help to bring the gang to justice before they target any other victims.

A police spokesman said: "Enquiries have established that three men cut through the security lock before taking the moped.

"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

"Anyone with information can report online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.

"Alternatively, call 101 quoting log 1827 of 17/11/21or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.2

Chellsi's page can be found at Spot the Minion on Facebook.