By Hayley Robinson

A kind-hearted businessman has teamed up with the Sittingbourne Messenger to come to the rescue of an elderly man whose walking frame was stolen.

Lloyd Weston, owner of Lloyd's Mobility shop at The Forum shopping centre, decided to give Kevin O'Daly a new four-wheeled rollator after his was taken from outside the front door of his home in Playstool Road, Newington.

The 89-year-old has osteoarthritis and relies on the frame to help him walk, so when the Sittingbourne Messenger contacted Mr Weston and told him about the theft he was only too happy to help.

Mr O'Daly was presented with his new silver walking aid worth £135 at the shop on Wednesday.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted.

"What a lovely surprise. Thank you very much.

"I can only walk about 100 yards without it, so I do really need it. It does seem a mean kind of theft."

Mr Weston said: "When I was told about the theft, I couldn't believe someone could be so heartless to steal a walking frame that Mr O'Daly required in order to give him his mobility. I am happy we've been able to help.

"At the moment he'll be the only one in Sittingbourne with a silver one as the others are usually red or blue."

Opportunist thieves swiped the black walking frame after Mr O'Daly went back indoors to put his coat on ready to go shopping with his 90-year-old partner Vi Oram.

The theft happened sometime between 8.45am and 9.05am last Thursday.

The thief's actions have been condemned by Kent police's Det Insp Susie Harper.

She said: "I find this a despicable crime that has been committed against a vulnerable member of our society, whether it was done as a joke or for financial gain.

"How they would feel if this had happened to their grandparent?"

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to phone the area crime and incident management unit at Sittingbourne police station on 01795 419182 quoting crime number CY/015516/10