A WIDNES florist says his business has suffered a setback after a thief stole his delivery van.
Fred Rix, of Presentation in Hough Green Road, says he is struggling to make customer deliveries after his silver Peugeot van was stolen from his premises last Thursday.
Mr Rix said: 'I couldn't believe it was happening. The man was in and out in a matter of seconds.
'I had placed my keys on the wheel-ie bin near my garden, as I was doing the grass.
'But within one stripe of the lawn the van was gone. My wife was shouting to me that they had driven off, but they were too fast and we were onto the police immediately.'
The florist, who has been at the same premises for more than 30 years, says taxi firms and customers have rallied round after hearing of the incident. He says they have been a great help to him.
He said: 'I have had a letter from the police about the incident but nothing has been done. Taxis and people who come in the shop have had their ears to the ground, but they've also heard nothing.
'The taxis in particular have been a great help.'
Mr Rix is now having to use a car to make deliveries.
'A police spokesman said: 'We were called to a florist in Hough Green Road at 1.31pm on July 10 after reports that a silver Peugeot delivery van was being stolen from a driveway at the florist in Widnes.
'The offender is descried as white with a shaven head and wearing a black T-shirt. Officers are looking into the incident.'
