A TEENAGER who spent an entire summer working to save for a mountain bike was dismayed after it was stolen in broad daylight on his 16th birthday.

William Seare is desperate for the safe return of his Vitus Escarpe bike, which was taken from outside a Christchurch convenience store on the first day of half term.

The young thief who rode of on the mountain bike, which could cost up to £3,800 to replace, event threatened to stab one of William's pals who challenged him after the brazen theft.

Now Dorset Police have launched enquiries into the incident and William, of Holdenhurst Village, hopes anyone with information will come forward to help.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, yesterday, he said: "I'm just really upset.

"I want my bike back, I worked four days a week throughout the entire summer holidays to pay for it."

He'd been riding at St Catherine's Hill, on Monday with friends, aged 14-16, before stopping off around 4pm at Nisa Local, Marlow Drive, Christchurch, for refreshments.

Mum Nicola said: "My son stayed outside the shop on bike duty with another lad and one of them went in to buy snacks."

"He (William) had his back to his bike and somebody just grabbed it and got on it.

"The boy that was with William outside then got on his bike and chased after him.

"This other boy did catch up with him and demanded the bike back. But the boy, aged around 15, said 'do you want me to stab you?'

"He went to get something out of his trousers, William's friend didn't actually see anything, but the threat was clear.

"Obviously, he decided to back off at this point and let him go.

"The whole thing took place on William's 16th birthday."

The bike was bought for £800 secondhand in August, after William worked the summer at Adventure Wonderland.

Nicola said: "He (William) paid for it himself. He worked four days a week at Adventure Wonderland, cycling there and back everyday on his old bike. He worked from 9am-6pm, saving enough money to pay for it.

"Since he's bought that bike we have had quite a few issues with it, we have since spend another £800 on it. He got another job and worked all winter just to keep up with the costs.

"He's put his life and soul into that bike in the last six months.

"The day before he went out on his birthday we put new tyres on it."

A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed they were called at 4.20pm on Monday to a report of the theft.

The spokesman said: "The bike is a black Vitus with red stripes and white writing.

"No arrests have been made.

"Enquiries are ongoing."