Paralympic athlete devastated over £5,000 racing wheelchair stolen hours after he qualified for Rio

A Paralympic athlete has spoken of his devastation after his custom-built racing wheelchair worth £5,000 was stolen.

Just a few hours after he heard he had qualified for Rio, John Smith, 26, woke at his home in Neal Road, West Kingsdown, in Kent to find his van had been broken and the aluminium-framed chair was gone

Police are appealing for information about the theft.

The theft is reported to have taken place between 8pm on 21 June and 8am on 22 June, 2016.

The wheelchair had been stored inside a locked black Renault Traffic van, when the offence occurred.

There was no reported damage to the van and enquiries into the theft are ongoing.

The victim is part of a Great Britain racing team and needs the wheelchair to compete in upcoming events.