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Heartless thieves stole a bike belonging to a nurse as she worked a night shift saving people's lives on Christmas Eve.

Catherine Harding discovered her Carrera Crossfire was missing at 7.30am after she finished a eleven-hour shift at St Martin's Hospital in Bath.

The 56-year-old said all that was left behind was her smashed lock on the floor, Somerset Live reports.

She added that the theft coupled with having to work over Christmas, put a real 'downer' on her festive holidays.

Issuing stern words to the culprit, she said: "To the person who did this, I may be looking after your relative in hospital for all I know."

(Image: Somerset Live WS)

Catherine had locked her bike at the cycle hub she usually uses before starting her shift at 8.30pm on December 23.

She said: "When I came outside the lock had been smashed and broken.

"I have had the bike for two years. I just had a service done on it which cost £60.

"It is frustrating when you spend quite a bit of money and now I don't have a bike."

The loss means what was a 15-minute cycle uphill to work, and five minutes downhill on the way back, is now a near 45-minute walk for Catherine.

"I can't understand how the reception didn't hear it, it is only 10 metres away," she said.

"A domestic helper at work said another bike was stolen from that bike stand not that long ago, but that had been stuck there for three years.

"It put a downer on Christmas. I was working over Christmas but this topped it off.

"I hope the police can find the person responsible."

Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "We can confirm we’ve received a report of a theft of a bike from the grounds of St Martin’s Hospital in Bath.

"It was taken sometime overnight between Monday, December 23 and the next day (Christmas Eve).

"If anyone has seen this bike, or has information on the theft, please call us on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219294947."