Heartless thieves stole three tricycles from a children’s charity just days before Christmas.

PARC Essex, based in Great Notley Country Park, is a charity for children with disabilities and special needs, providing help and support for them and their families.

The play and resource centre has soft play areas, sensory and recovery rooms and an outdoor play area, with swings, slides and other play equipment.

But four days before Christmas, staff discovered that three metal tricycles had been stolen from the outdoor play area.

Jade Burfield, centre manager, said: “A lot of our children struggle with their co-ordination and balance to ride a normal bike and we got these ones especially so that they could participate in the activities with the rest of the children.

“Now they will miss out. It seems particularly heartless that they were taken just before Christmas."

Two of the tricycles are medium size, with blue frames, chrome wheels and handle bars and silver mud guards and fixings. The other is a small red tricycle with a Fireman Sam design.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PARC on 01376 528999 or Essex Police on 101.