AN ELDERLY cancer survivor has been left housebound after callous thieves stole his new mobility scooter - just two days after it was delivered.

Hampshire grandad David Fitzpatrick, 78, had one of his lungs removed eight years ago and is now so breathless he can walk only a few yards.

The retired sheet metalworker needs a mobility buggy to get to the shops and has just spent £650 on replacing his old scooter.

But the new machine was stolen little more than 48 hours after it had been delivered to his home at Players Crescent in Totton.

His daughter, Angela Ward, said: "The family are outraged at this callous act. My father had to give up his car following a stroke three years ago and the buggy was his last piece of independence."

She spoke out as police continued to investigate the theft of another mobility scooter that was taken from Crabwood Lane in Maybush, Southampton.

As reported on the Daily Echo's website it was later found abandoned with significant damage to its central control panel.

Mr Fitzpatrick, whose wife Beryl is also housebound, had used the red Shoprider buggy only once before it was stolen from the couple's back garden.

He said: "I bought it last Friday and went for a ride at the weekend to make sure it was all right before putting it on charge outside the back door.

"It was stolen on Sunday night, even though it couldn't be seen from the road."

Mr Fitzpatrick, who described the theft as "despicable", added: "I've had one of my lungs removed because of cancer and can only walk a few yards because I get very breathless.

"I need a mobility scooter to get to the shops. Without one I have to rely on people coming round and taking me in the car."

Mr Fitzpatrick described the theft as "thoughtless" and added: "The person responsible can't have elderly parents or grandparents. If they did they'd realise the consequences of their actions."

Totton councillor David Harrison added: "It is hard to understand how anyone could be so callous, targeting an elderly and vulnerable victim."

A police spokesman said: "An unknown person entered the householder's garden and stole his electric mobility scooter, which had been left on charge. The theft is under investigation."

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference number 44160057989.