THIEVES have stolen a wheelchair from a disabled Hampshire checkout girl while she was working just metres away.

Samantha Ferall was horrified when she discovered her £700 wheelchair had been stolen from the end of her checkout on Tuesday evening.

A staff search at Sainsbury’s in Hedge End failed to recover it, and the 22-year-old who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, had to go home in a store wheelchair.

Sam has worked at the store for seven years and had left the manual wheelchair at the end of her checkout.

She said: “I just can’t believe that someone would do this. It is sickening. It was quite a busy night so my attention was focused on serving the customers.”

Police are reviewing store CCTV footage with staff.

The wheelchair is black and has the word “Breezy” embroidered on the back of it.

Store manager Darren Noonan said: “I am appalled at the thoughtlessness and insensitivity of the person or persons who have taken the wheelchair. We are appealing to the community to report anything that may lead to its return.”

Anyone with any information about the theft which happened between 7.30pm and 9.30pm, should contact Hedge End police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.