An 87-year-old war veteran has lost his independence after thieves stole his mobility scooter worth £2,500 from outside his home.

Retired teacher Reg Snell from Aldridge has been left distraught after he discovered it missing on Tuesday morning. He had only owned the vehicle for two weeks and said it had become his lifeline. The great-grandfather has made an emotional appeal for the culprits to hand it back, saying he is now confined to his Walsall Road home.

Mr Snell, a widower, fought for his country from 1940 to 1946 while a member of The Royal Engineers, serving in Italy and Egypt.

He has two sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He worked as a teacher at Lindens Middle School in Streetly, retiring in 1986.

“It really has upset me,” he said. “I have lost my independence. I can walk about the house but I simply can’t walk very far. I rely on my scooter to go into the town.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got up on Tuesday and discovered it had been stolen.”

His 62-year-old son, also called Reg, added: “He has to park the scooter outside his front door because the distance from his garage to his house is too far for him to walk. Stealing a mobility scooter from an elderly, disabled man is cruel and despicable. My father has been left really upset by this.

“This scooter gives him independence and he lost that now.”

People with information should call Aldridge police on 0845 113 5000.