Youths have stolen a tricycle which provides a lifeline to a 92-year-old Shrewsbury woman who has only recently recovered from several operations.

The woman was attending the Wednesday Club at Castlefields Community Hall in the town yesterday afternoon when the tricycle was stolen.

Friends today said the woman was extremely upset at the theft of the pedal bike which she uses to get around. 

Jean Clarke, bookings secretary at the community hall, said the woman had  undergone a number of  operations and had only recently started coming back to the club. 

She said: “It’s her lifeline. She was so upset when we told her. 

“We had a slideshow so we had the curtains closed to keep the light out and apparently three boys took the bike.” 

The club began at the New Park Street hall at 2pm yesterday and the theft was reported at about 3pm. 

The theft of the tricycle, which has a large white box on the back, has been reported to police and CCTV footage has been taken away by a Community Support Officer to examine. 

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said it was thought three youths, aged about 12 or 13, had taken it.

Anybody with any information about the incident is asked to call police on 0300 3333000.

Alternatively people can telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.