A BIKER is preparing to be reunited with his beloved moped – 32 years after it was stolen in Southend.

Richard Anderson, 51, was left speechless after being contacted by the DVLA to say the bike, an old Honda Dax 50, had been found.

The Shoebury resident last saw the bike in 1992 when he was just 20 years old.

Due to someone attempting to apply for a VC5 ownership certificate for the moped, the DVLA went to Richard and asked if he had put the stolen moped up for sale.

Now, police are set to seize the bike – which is still in full working order – and will return it to Richard.

He said: “I just couldn’t believe it, not even the police officer who contacted me could.

“He said that they have never had an incident where something like this still exists and to know that someone has it after 32 years is incredible.

“I am hoping that I could even ride it again.”

The bike was stolen from Southchurch Road in 1992 before being found by police.

However, days later it was once again stolen from the Purdeys Industrial Estate.

At that point, Richard gave up hope of ever finding the bike again.

The moped was bought by Richard for £1,200 on London Road when he was just 16 years old.

The vintage moped has now risen in value and would be worth in the region of £2,000.

“It went adrift again and again and there were a lot of errors,” added Richard.

“But to find it after 32 years goes to show that you never know, you may get your own stolen vehicle back.

“I chased the DVLA up and the file is still open, and they are chasing it up, I will get it back in the next month or two.

“I do feel bad for whoever the police seize it from though – just how has it turned up again after all these years?”