his birthday -- a brand new bike -- was stolen during his party celebrations.

Zack Burrows, of York Street, St. George's, was overjoyed with his present which he received on his birthday on Sunday.

But just hours later the birthday boy was in tears after a thief stole the prize present from the family's yard.

Zack's mother, Jane Burrows, explained that Zack had an old bike but, just before his birthday, one of the wheels blew out.

She said Zack got more and more excited as his birthday approached and asked her if he might get a new bike.

Mrs. Burrows tried to remain nonchalant and said that perhaps, if he was lucky, he might get a new bike.

And sure enough, last Sunday Zack was given a new blue Mongoose pedal bike with front shocks, seat suspension and five gears, worth more than $200.

Later that day the family held a slumber party starting around 4 p.m. with about ten children running around the garden.

At about 6 p.m. the youngsters came inside to have dinner and Zack left his new bike on the front door step.

After dinner, Zack's father, Greg, took the children for a walk on the St.

George's golf course. The theft was discovered on their return just before 8 p.m.

Mrs. Burrows said the yard was not visible from the road, so someone must have known the bike was there and come into the yard with the intention of stealing it.

The theft is the second brand new bike to be stolen out of the family's yard.

Zack's ten year-old brother, Jez, was given a new bike 18 months ago but it too vanished some time later and was never found.

"We just do not have much luck with these bikes,'' said Mrs. Burrows.

"It is not like we are not careful, we are forever traipsing these bikes into the house, keeping them locked up in the shed and so on.

"But the one night we do leave it out, it goes missing.'' And she said that they would have to save up some money, and pay for another brand new bike.

It may take Zack a little longer to recover from the trauma of having such excitement followed by such disappointment.

Both incidents of theft were reported to the Police, but so far there has been no trace of either bike.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the bike is asked to contact the St. George's Police station or Mrs. Burrows at 297-1880.

Happier days: Zack Burrows is pictured on his new bike on his seventh birthday just hours before a thief stole it from the front yard.