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The mum of a disabled Darwen girl who had her walking frame stolen in a ‘sickening’ theft is over the moon after a firm gave her a new one.

Eight-year-old Katelyn Stewart, who has cerebral palsy and wears splints on her legs, had the frame stolen from outside her grandmother’s home.

The youngster was left unable to play with her friends, and mum Kelly, 28, said the whole family was devastated. But now, thanks to Elap Mobility, based in Accrington, Katelyn has a new frame even better than the one stolen.

Kelly, of Astbury Chase, said: “It is lovely. You can tell they have spent money on it. She hasn’t been too bad without her frame, although she did fall on her knees at school. But she is a lot better now she has got her frame again.”

“She hasn’t been able to get anywhere or play with her best friend. She was also being kept indoors at break times which made her upset.”

Kelly said she was delighted when told the frame would be replaced. She added: “I had never even heard of Elap at the time. We appreciate what they have done so much and Katelyn is really happy. They are going to put a seat on it so she can sit down when she needs a rest as well. The old one never had that, so she had to sit on the bars and it could have fallen over. It will make a lot of difference.”

Joanne Park, from Elap, said: “We saw the story in the Lancashire Telegraph and wanted to help. Katelyn said she wanted a pink one so we made her one, and it’s got little diamond-style bits in it. It took us about a week and a half. Accrington Autobodies sprayed it for free as well, as the owner’s daughter also has cerebral palsy.”