Posties deflated by valve theft

Deliveries were slightly delayed by the theft

Police are hunting pranksters who stole the valves from 80 Royal Mail bicycles.

Postal workers arrived at work in Huntington, York, on Monday to find the tyres on the bikes had been let down.

The valves, which had been unscrewed from the wheels' inner tubes, were taken from bikes lined up in racks outside the building.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the vandals struck at the weekend after climbing over the perimeter fence.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said contingency measures were put in place to ensure all deliveries were carried out but admitted there had been some delays.

She added: "We are carrying out an internal investigation which will include a review of future security.

"Maintenance specialists have been brought in to repair the cycles in readiness for tomorrow's deliveries."