A woman was left trapped in her own home after callous thieves stole her mobility scooter.

George Williams was visiting her daughter's Lowestoft home on Stanley Street when she noticed her scooter was no longer parked where she left it outside the property.

As a result of their actions, the 56-year-old was left housebound until she paid thousands for a replacement.

Miss Williams said: "I went to go and see my daughter and I left my mobility scooter outside her house but when I went to go home it wasn't there. Someone had stolen it.

"I've been told it would probably have been kids having fun on it, but it is not fun for me.

"I just want other people to be aware that you must keep an eye on your mobility scooters."

Despite being made aware of a possible sighting of her scooter, which is red in colour and has a brown basket on the front, in the town centre following the theft, the scooter remains missing.

"Someone told me they had seen it on London Road North but it hasn't been found," she said.

"I had to go out and get another one, but they are not cheap and cost a couple of thousand pounds.

"It is not a tiny amount and I had to get my friend to get it for me because I couldn't leave the house without it."

The 56-year-old suffers from balance difficulties and struggles to remain standing without the help of her mobility scooter.

She said: "I have got balance problems and I don't have very good balance at all.

"I had the scooter for nearly a year and I have been trapped in the house without it until I was able to get another one, otherwise I would just fall over."

A spokesperson for Suffolk police confirmed a red mobility scooter had been stolen from the Stanley Street area.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to call officers in Lowestoft on 101, quoting reference 37/30863/19.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or use their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org