A TEENAGE cyclist who plunged headfirst into a Worcester canal has been reunited with his beloved bike - thanks to an Evening News appeal.

Andrew Kennard was cycling along the Worcester Birmingham canal last Saturday when his trip took a turn for the worst.

The 18-year-old had reached the back of Worcester City football ground in St George's Lane when he suddenly felt his mountain bike tyres slip beneath him.

He braked sharply but still shot into the dark, freezing canal water, before managing to swim to the side and clamber out on to the bank.

The Worcester College of Technology student, who was left shivering and covered in slime, decided to leave the bike under the water and rushed home to change into fresh clothes.

And he feared the worst when he returned to the canal and peered into the murky depths only to find his prize possession had gone.

Unfortunate

Luckily, walker Colin Pettifer had spotted his unfortunate early morning dip, returned back home to get a grappling hook and fished the Raleigh bike from the water.

And after a quick clean up, a phone call to the Evening News and one newspaper appeal later, the new metallic blue bike was gleaming and back with its rightful owner.

"The pathway was really sandy and my wheels just lost their grip," said Mr Kennard, of Middle Street.

"I slammed on my brakes but the next thing I knew I was in the water."

The teenager feared his new bike had been stolen until his parents spotted the article in the Evening News.

"I was gutted because the bike was less than a year old. But thanks to Mr Pettifer my bike was cleaned up and returned to me."