THIEVES have stolen two bikes belonging to a pedalling politician in a raid at the council's headquarters.

Councillor Mick Grant, who rides about 150 miles every week, last year used one of the stolen two-wheelers for a 100-mile ride which netted £2,000 for charity.

The red Carrera racing bike, along with a bike Mr Grant uses for his daily commute, were both taken from the locked bike shed at North Lincolnshire Council's Pittwood House base in Ashby Road, Scunthorpe.

Mr Grant made two pleas to the thief or thieves – to either return the bicycles or enjoy them. He said: "To the person or persons who stole my bikes, I'd like to say I really hope you get the same enjoyment out of them that I did over the past three or so years. Don't just dump them and leave them somewhere.

"The two bikes were stolen at some point on Monday, from the locked bike shed at Pittwood House.

"I've been using one of them to cycle between Pittwood and Church Square House for meetings and the other is a racing bike that I go out on.

"It's actually the bike that I used to do my charity bike ride between Middlesbrough and Scunthorpe.

"If, by some sheer miracle, the thief or thieves have an attack on their conscience and want to do the right thing, they can call Pittwood or the Labour group office and anonymously tell me where they are and I will go to collect them."

Police are investigating the incident and have slammed crooks for targeting those trying to go green.

Neighbourhood officer for the area Sergeant James Main said: "We are investigating and would appeal for anyone with information to contact police.

"It's a shame the offender or offenders have taken these bikes from someone who is clearly trying to consider the environment."

Anyone with information can either call Mick Grant at the Labour Group on 01724 296348, Pittwood House on 01724 296296 or Humberside Police on 0845 6060222.