A family devastated by the theft of their 11-year-old daughter’s bike the day after her birthday party have been touched by a kind offer from a stranger.

Amanda and Keith Jones, and their children Madeline, 11, and Dexter, nine, were asleep when burglars broke into their home in Southwick on February 7 and stole a Wii console, purse, wallet, and Madeline’s new bike.

Despite police retrieving the undamaged bike, Mrs Jones said she was touched to learn that Melksham Carnival Committee chairman Kathryn Allwood had offered her own bike as a replacement, after undergoing an operation to remove part of her left leg.

Mrs Jones, 36, said: “Whoever broke into our home rode the bike to their next crime. The bike was just left at the scene.

“There wasn’t a scratch on it. Madeline was pleased to have it back, but she was a bit hesitant riding it.

“It was a lovely offer by Kathryn and we want to pass on our thanks. I think gestures like that give us all hope.”

Mrs Allwood, 39, of Rutland Close, Melksham, had the lower part of her left leg amputated in January after suffering from osteoarthritis and a degenerative bone disorder. She had suffered further problems since she slipped on black ice four years ago.