The grandparents of a severely disabled girl have spoken of their heartbreak after thieves stole a specially adapted cart they brought for her.

Terry and Doris Banks, both 71, from Greensted Road, Ongar had the specially-adapted horse riding carriage made for their granddaughter Jennifer, 10.

Jennifer, who lives in Shetland, has Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder which causes profound physical and learning disabilities.

It means that Jennifer, who lives with her three horse-mad sisters cannot ride and has to be left at home when the others go to competitions.

The sad situation looked like it was coming to an end after her grandfather, Terry Banks spotted a special carriage after two years of hunting.

The pensioner couple saved the £1,500 it cost and finally had it delivered to their home on Sunday, August 2.

The couple headed out to dinner to celebrate and when they came home two hours later, the carriage -which was covered and placed out of sight - had been stolen.

The shattered couple have begged for the return of the carriage.

Mrs Banks said she has been unable to sleep since the incident.

She said:" I cried so much I made myself ill, I think it was the shock, I just cannot understand how someone could be so cruel."

Mr Banks added: "They haven't stolen from us, they've stolen from Jennifer, she loves being active and although she can't communicate she really loves her Shetland ponies, when she's around them she's just so happy.

"The idea was that she could use the cart to be pulled along by the ponies, we don't know if that will ever happen now."

The Banks added that they believed that when the highly distinctive dark blue cart was delivered to their home, the thieves had followed it to their quiet rural home.

The couple, who have 11 grandchildren, bought the carriage from a couple in Grays who sold it for a reduced price when the Banks' told them about Jennifer.

There is a cash reward for anyone with any information leading to the recovery of the cart.

Anyone who might have seen the distinctive small dark blue carriage on the back of a truck or being towed away sometime between 6 and 9.30pm on Sunday, August 2 should contact Pc Donoghue at Epping Police Station on 0300 333 4444.

Mr Banks added: "These people don't know what they've put us through but please, for Jennifer's sake, if you know where it is, please help us."