WHEN litter pickers found a stolen bike thrown into the canal, several people came forward claiming it was theirs.

But the volunteers managed to trick down the real owner - and he's now been reunited with his pride and joy, although it needed a bit of cleaning to make it roadworthy again.

The volunteer team from Inland Waterways Association came across the bike in the Bridgwater to Taunton Canal during one of their regular litter picks.

It was found to be in good condition after being taken out of the water, so they got straight onto social media to try to track down its owner.

It wasn’t long before they were contacted by several claimants.

Alongside the chancers was a 17-year-old boy from the Priorswood area of Taunton, who provided conclusive proof that the bike was his.

It was then handed back to him at a meeting point at Firepool Lock, near to where it had been dumped.

He was delighted to be reunited with the bike, which had been given to him as a Christmas present before it was stolen.