An eco-friendly pedalling vicar, who was forced to abandon his cycle clips when his two-wheeler was stolen, has been given a special gift by his parishioners.

Thieves broke the eighth commandment when they snuck into St Luke’s Vicarage in Burton Road two months ago and spirited away Father Martin Hislop’s old Raleigh bicycle.

With its distinctive basket on the front, Fr Martin was able to visit his congregants with clerical gear intact, sounding his own bell as he went.

His bicycle was one of nine or 10 pinched in the same night and the sinners even took his security light.

Fr Martin said: “I gave up driving last year as a gesture.

"I could ride to Hanworth crematorium and get there quicker through Bushy Park than if I drove.

“I thought it would be healthier and I could stop to talk to people around the parish. I’m not stuck in my car.”

The vicar, who has served at St Luke’s in Gibbon Road for 10 years since he arrived from Australia, had forgiven the thieves for the irritation caused and moved on when, out of the blue, his flock presented him with a replacement at the end of last Sunday’s service.

He said: “I had the shock of my life. It is a really good bike.”

The Anglican church is still appealing for witnesses.

If you stole the bike, call 020 8549 4551 to make your confession.