Tilly Lockey's stolen bike found

A specially-adapted bike which was stolen from a girl who lost her hands to meningitis has been returned.

Tilly Lockey's bike was taken from a garage in Consett along with the bikes of her sisters Tia and Lucy-Anna.

It had been adapted for eight-year-old Tilly, who had her hands and toes amputated in 2007 after contracting group B meningococcal septicaemia.

Tilly's mother Sarah said she now had three "happy little girls" after the bikes were recovered by the police.

Mrs Lockey said: "Consett Police have been amazing, I can't speak more highly of all the work they put in to finding my girls' bikes.

"The police have found the bikes and returned them to the girls.

"I want to thank everybody involved who has helped us, I have three happy little girls."

Sgt Martin Willis said the public response to the theft had been "overwhelming".

He said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to return the bikes which mean so much to the girls. The theft itself was extremely upsetting for all involved but we've all been moved by the goodwill and help we've received from everyone."

Durham Police said a 36-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man arrested on suspicion of burglary have been bailed pending further inquiries.

A 29-year-old man arrested on suspicion of burglary has been released with no further action for that offence, but has been charged with cultivation of cannabis.

A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of burglary and released with no further action for that offence, has also been bailed in relation to a drugs offence.