Cyclist was twice the victim of thieves

Chimene had scrimped and saved to buy the bike - ironically to replace one previously stolen - which she had used to ride into the town centre to get to work.

But overnight on Thursday and Friday last week, during heavy rain, Chimene's bike and another, belonging to her mother Fiona, were both stolen.

Mrs Carrick said: "The offenders ignored double gates and the fact we have dogs to help themselves to our property.

"Chimene had just spent more money having her bike made fully serviceable after saving several hundreds of pounds to buy it.

"Apart from the shock and inconvenience of finding the bikes gone, Chimene and I are angry at the sheer callousness of whoever stole them.

"They didn't have to work hard and save for weeks to buy a bike. They simply invaded our home and took them."

Chemine added: "It was horrible waking up to find the bikes gone. I do various jobs around town, including child-minding, waitressing and hair-dressing and a bike is the ideal way for me to get around."

The theft has been reported to Bexhill Police whose officers are investigating. Anyone with information should contact them on 0845 60 70 999 or telephone Crimestoppers on 0845 555111.