EVERY day, Chris Spary walked past the window of his local cycle shop for a glimpse of his dream mountain bike.

So, after months of scrimping and saving, the 16-year-old was overjoyed to be able to walk into the store and pedal away on his new pride and joy.

Yet just hours after making the £750 purchase, Chris, of Crompton Way, Bolton, was heartbroken when his dual suspension mountain bike was stolen.

The Smithills School pupil had been riding back from his grandma's house in Withins and he decided to buy a copy of the BEN and left his bike outside a newsagent while he popped inside.

By the time he had bought the paper, his bike had been stolen.

He said: "I was gutted. I saw four lads outside the shop when I parked up but when I left the shop they weren't there and the bike was gone.

"It had taken me four months to buy it. I used my Christmas and birthday money and I took a part-time job as a waiter in a fish and chip restaurant to pay for it.

"I just hope somebody spots it and hands it to the police."

Since the bike was stolen on Wednesday Chris has found out it was not covered by his mother's insurance.

And he now has no other mode of transport because he sold his old bike for £150 to help pay for his new one.

The GTXCR 5000 bike is black with green stripes.

Anyone with any information should phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. PRIDE AND JOY: Chris's GTXCR 5000 bike which was stolen