A BORDERS man has been left devastated after thieves stole a mountain bike which he customised in memory of his late wife.

Chris McDonald, from Innerleithen, had the bicycle personalised following the death of florist Emma who suffered a cardiac arrest while hill-walking in August last year at the age of 29.

It was among four bikes which were stolen from Scott’s Cycle Services in Selkirk during a break-in in the early hours of Friday morning.

Chris told the Border Telegraph: “I was angry when I heard about the theft but now, I just want whoever stole the bikes to return them.

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“The bike means the world to me as I bought it to accompany Emma who loved to ride, and she actually rode it a couple of times.

“I remember riding it the day before she died, and I think of it as my tribute to Emma.

“I would do anything to get it back. Riding it in the forest is my escape to a happy place.

“The bike is a Trek Fuel make and is 100 per cent unique. It has a distinctive mark along with a ‘BEMOREEMMA’ (Be More Emma) sticker on it.

“I had them made up after she died and my friends and I take them everywhere.

“The one on my bike is under a protective film which would be difficult to remove. The colour is a new brand of green and there won’t be another bike like it.”

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During the break-in, four bicycles worth more than £15,000 were stolen. They are described as a green Trek Fuel; a black, red and blue Mondraker Foxy, which also has a BEMOREEMMA sticker; a green Cannondale Habit and a purple Liv Tempt.

Officers are now appealing for information to help trace them and identify the culprits.

Shop owner Matthew Scott said: “I arranged for the remaining bikes to be removed to a secure location over the weekend until new security measures were put in place.

“Since the news broke on social media, the response from the local community and nationwide has been unreal.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are carrying out enquiries after a bike shop in Weavers Court in Selkirk was broken into around 12.45am on Friday, June 25. Anyone who knows who was responsible should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting 1018.”