By Nora Parminter

A YOUNG paperboy recently had his BMX bike stolen from outside Evans Newsagents in Crediton High Street.

Matt Treen (15) had worked really hard to save up for the BMX and was devastated to discover that it had been stolen.

Alan Lillis, landlord of The Ship Hotel, Crediton and Paul Conabeare of Evans Newsagents wanted to help and decided to raise some money to buy Matt a new BMX.

Alan explained: “I wanted to get the lad another bike – it’s not right that a 15-year-old has a bike ‘nicked’ at five o’clock in the morning.

“We donated the money we collected on the nightclub door over one weekend, as well as donations from customers at The Ship and at Evans Newsagents and this amount was topped up by Paul and myself to buy a new BMX for Matt.

“The Bike Shed in Crediton donated a lock for Matt to secure his new BMX bike.”

Matt was thrilled and said: “I really appreciate it – it’s put my faith back in the people of Crediton.”