A charity which helps disabled children enjoy cycling has appealed for the public's help after 13 bikes were stolen.

Thieves broke into a container used by the East Park Aiming High Inclusive Cycling Scheme and made off with 12 mountain bikes, each worth £500, and an £800 tandem.

The bikes were locked-up at 7pm on Wednesday in East Park, off Holderness Road, but when staff returned the following morning they were gone.

Only launched last month, the scheme is aimed at giving disabled children the opportunity to ride bicycles in the park with parents and carers.

The charity, which has almost 200 members, says the bikes are used by parents and carers to escort children with mental and physical disabilities around the park.

Specially adapted bikes, stored alongside the adults' bikes, were not stolen in the raid.

Simon Berry, project manager for the charity, said: "Hopefully, the people who did this will bring them back or someone who knows something will contact the police."

Mr Berry said the timing of the raid just a week before the start of the summer holidays could not be worst.

"It is horrific. We are sickened that someone would steal from disabled children.

"How could someone, or several people, do this.

"The whole point of our charity is about inclusion and helping disabled children lead normal happy lives.

"But by stealing these bikes they will no longer be able to be escorted around the park, which means we will struggle to continue offering the service.

"We are insured but that will take some time to go through and we are only a week away from the summer holidays."

The scheme was funded by cash from the Government's Aiming High For Disabled Children pot.

It was launched after a consultation with disabled children, young people and parents.

A steering group was launched by Hull City Council, national charity Kids and Frederick Holmes School.

Sue Cawkwell, whose two disabled children Josh, 19, and Charlotte, 12, both use the bicycles, said she hoped the bikes would be returned.

She said: "A lot of effort went into getting the scheme up and running.

"There will be a lot of disappointed people if the bikes aren't returned – it is nasty to steal from disabled children."

Police hope the bikes will be easy to spot as they are engraved with "East park cycles" and the postcode of "HU8 8JU".

Sergeant Eric Johnstone said: "Together with the community's help we are trying to trace the whereabouts of these cycles and identify the offenders.

"We have already done door to door enquiries in the area but are now urging anyone with information to contact us."