A BOYFRIEND dived into the River Weaver to search for his fiance's scooter after it was stolen and then dumped by youths.

David Steele, of Solway Road, Winnington, searched Hunts Lock for the four-month-old scooter.

The qualified scuba diver said: "It was like diving in soup. I have a diver's torch that I use and I couldn't see it when it was six inches in front of me.

"I'm 100 per cent sure I had my hand on the bike though."

The Guardian was on hand to video his efforts to retrieve the scooter from an area which David has been told is a popular spot for thieves to dump their booty. You can see him dive in on northwichguardian.co.uk.

The scooter was stolen when his fiance, Tina Williams, 23, was working at a property on Milner Avenue, Greenbank, on Tuesday, January 8.

He appealed locally for information and after talking to the culprits they told him where they had dumped it - so the qualified scuba diver decided to go into the locks and find it.

David bought the black and white Wolfboy 125cc scooter for Tina as a gift. It set him back £1,495 and he worked extra shifts to pay for it.

He added that the police had yet to investigate the crime.

He said: "I know the police are busy but the officer called me to say she hadn't had a chance to look at it yet.

"They said if no-one was willing to come forward and give evidence there was nothing they could do."

However, David's 20 minute search proved fruitless and he decided to call it a day - for now.

He added: "All we need is a couple of days of no rain so there's no rubbish being washed off the hills, it just depends on that really.

"I'm determined to get it. The bike cost a lot and Tina had to get insurance and her CBT licence.

"It has cost us a fortune, just because of some toe rags."

If you have any information regarding the theft contact Northwich Police on 0845 458 6392 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.