A TEENAGE cyclist whose bike was stolen by violent thugs is back on two wheels thanks to the generosity of strangers.

Schoolboy Ben Ellis was robbed by yobs at knifepoint and throttled in a terrifying ordeal on the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Wellwishers raised almost £1,000 and presented him with a new red Kona mountain bike.

The 15-year-old was riding home with a friend at around 4.45pm on May 7 when he was threatened by three men with a knife.

Chris Stephens, from Widnes, who runs Bike Bible, a cycling website, launched a crowdfunding appeal to replace Ben’s bike.

Cyclists from as far afield as India, France, Canada and Germany responded.

Ben’s family and football team also made donations.

Chris, 34, said: “It touched a nerve with a lot of people.

“The fact his bike was taken off him with such violence made a big impact.

“We are a worldwide group of cyclists, a good community who enjoy riding. We are glad we could help out.

“You don’t expect to have a knife put to your throat just cycling across the bridge.

“These gangs are targeting people they know they can intimidate and get away with it.

“They are bullies.”

Chris bought the bike online.

John Geddes Cycles, from Widnes, offered to assemble it and gave Ben a free six-week service.

Ben was overwhelmed by the gift.

He said: “It was a big surprise – I am made up.

“It has given me a real confidence boost and restored my faith in people. It shows what a community can do.”

Ben said one of the three young robbers terrorised him when he refused to hand over his bike.

“He pulled out a knife from his pocket and said ‘give me the bike now or I’ll slice you up’,” says Ben.

“I felt like my life was being threatened. He grabbed my throat. My friend said I went completely white.

“I gave him the bike.”

Chief inspector Richard Rees said: “This is a particularly nasty offence which has left the victim extremely shaken.

“I am keen to trace those responsible.

“We are trying to locate the male who fled the scene on the victim’s bicycle.”

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 608 of May 7.

To find out more about the bike bible visit bikebiblecc.co.uk.