Grandfather Jeffrey Meddings is offering a reward after his beloved Claud Butler bike was stolen.

Mr Meddings, 72, from Devizes, only bought the hybrid mountain bike ten months ago.

It cost £500 and he spent another £230 adding extras to it including a cantilever sprung saddle, mudguards and specialist panniers.

He said: “A Claud Butler bike was a bike I always wanted ever since I was a boy. We could never afford one but I finally achieved my dream last year when I saw one at Roses in Devizes.

“It was superb and, after a little soul searching, I decided that the time had arrived. Every ride on it was a real joy. Now my bike has been stolen and my dream shattered.

“I have reported it to the police and, while they are sympathetic, they gave little hope of finding it. It’s on my mind all the time and I look at everyone riding bikes to see if it is mine.

“I have been to local cycle shops to see if they have heard anything about my bike and I have looked on eBay to see if it is for sale.”

Mr Meddings is in remission from prostate cancer and was planning a bike ride to Bath to raise money for Cancer Research UK. He said: “I have another bike, a Raleigh, but it does not have a sprung saddle so I cannot ride long distances on it.”

Claud Butler are considered to be one of the best British bikes and have been at the forefront of cycle design and development. Mr Meddings’ bike was stolen from outside St John’s Church, Long Street, on March 27 between 2pm and 4pm. He is a member of Devizes Choral Society and was taking part in a rehearsal.

His bike was locked but as it was not attached to something immovable his insurance company has refused to pay out.

Mr Meddings is a retired teacher and leads an art group for U3A at the Crown Centre. He and his wife, Diana, who have two daughters and two grandchildren, moved to Devizes from Winchester four years ago.

His bike is silver and black, has 24 gears, sprung forks and hydraulic disc brakes. He is offering a reward for information leading to its recovery. Contact him on (01380) 727244.