AN overjoyed pensioner is celebrating getting her life back today after she was reunited with her beloved scooter.Elizabeth Stephenson had felt as though someone had cut off her legs when thieves stole the red Stirling Sapphire scooter, her only means of transport, leaving her virtually housebound.

AN overjoyed pensioner is celebrating getting her life back today after she was reunited with her beloved scooter.

Elizabeth Stephenson had felt as though someone had cut off her legs when thieves stole the red Stirling Sapphire scooter, her only means of transport, leaving her virtually housebound.

But now she is able to leave her flat in Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket, and visit her friends again as the scooter has been discovered and returned to her.

Mrs Stephenson, 75, a retired nurse who cannot walk for long after three strokes and a double hip operation, said: “I couldn't believe it.

“The police said they had a tip off after media appeals but they couldn't say anything else.

“I'm going out on it this moment to the bank and the shops. I haven't been out since it was stolen so I was absolutely thrilled. I feel like I've got my life back.”

Grandmother Mrs Stephenson said she was grateful for all the support she had received from friends since the scooter was stolen on the weekend of May 19, with some pals even offering to chip in to help her buy another one.

And she said Suffolk police had been wonderful to her throughout the investigation.

But she said she was still disgusted with the thieves who had taken her precious scooter worth £2,000.

She added: “People look at older people and they just see an older person. They don't even think we've had a complete life and done things before.

“I think that's why people steal from older people.”

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police confirmed that Mrs Stephenson had been reunited with her scooter.

She added that an investigation into the theft was still ongoing.

Has your life been turned upside down by a theft? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.