A healthcare professional who moved to King's Lynn just weeks ago has already had his treasured bicycle stolen.

Stuart Dean, 45, left his 1940s-style Royal Star bike chained to railings near his home in the London Road area of the town last Friday night.

He thought he heard a noise in the early hours but saw nothing when he peered outside. When he got up, the bicycle he bought for £600 20 years ago had gone.

'I've used it a lot, It's been all over France, Morocco, I've done a lot of cycling over the years,' he said.

'I've not been here long, so it's a nice welcome, There's elements of this type of thing which spoil King's Lynn. This could be a fantastic place.'

Mr Dean, who moved to Norfolk from Kent two months ago, said the bicycle was very distinctive.

'It's really noticeable,' he said. 'It's green, it's got white tyres, it's fitted with a massive brass bell and a Brooks saddle.

'It's old school, it's got rod brakes and three speed gears. I know there's not another one like it here.'

Mr Dean paid tribute to the hard work of his local PCSO, who is investigating the theft.

'I've found the police absolutely fantastic, way beyond my expectations,' he said.

'When I reported it, I didn't hear anything straight away so I thought oh well - they're not interested.

'When the PCSO came round she'd knocked on all the doors, she'd been looking through the CCTV.'

Mr Dean is offering a £25 reward for information leading to the recovery of the bicycle. Anyone with information should contact PCSO Jackie Richards at King's Lynn Police Station on 101.