POLICE are appealing for Biddulph people to help them catch a thief who tore through the town centre on a stolen motorcycle.

The man raced through the high street on Saturday afternoon before abandoning the high-powered £2,500 Kawasaki.

The black K-registration ZZR machine had been stolen from the driveway of a house in Lyneside Road, Knypersley, at 4pm.

The thief tore off down Newpool Road before turning left at Knypersley traffic lights into Tunstall Road and abandoning the motorcycle in the high street.

"The motorcyclist was easily spotted because he was travelling at high speed and was not wearing a helmet," said a police spokesman.

"We don't know if he ran off or got into a car, and are keen to hear from anyone who saw him or recognised him."

Anyone who can help should ring 01785-233748.

Witnesses are also being sought to a fatal road accident involving a Biddulph lorry driver.

Aaron McElhone, aged 15, from Abbey Hulton, is believed to have been delivering newspapers on his bicycle when he was in collision with a Bedford lorry driven by William Brownsill, aged 37.

The boy was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The accident was at 7.30am, Leek Road, Abbey Hulton. Please ring 01785-235045.

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