Dudley Council has launched an appeal after a trailer containing 10 wheelchairs was stolen from the back of the Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The wheelchairs are specially adapted for children with disabilities to use during sport and exercise and are considered a lifeline for PE sessions for those who use them.

An appeal has now been launched for anyone with information to come forward. The value of the chairs is said to be in excess of £18,000 and they usually stored at Earls High School.

All items were marked and can be identified as belonging to Dudley Council. It's feared the current insurance policy on the premises may not cover the theft of the chairs. Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, said:

“I am sickened by the actions of these heartless thieves. The children and young people who rely on these chairs to participate in some of our sessions are suffering because of their thoughtlessness. I strongly urge anyone who knows anything about the stolen items to contact the police immediately.”

Anyone who has information can call 101 to talk to West Midlands Police.