A devastated uncle has had his stolen motorbike returned following an emotional appeal on social media.

William Clough, of Hazeltree Road, bought the black Honda CB500 1996 a year ago with his nephew.

But it took on even more sentimental value earlier this year when Mr Clough's 38-year-old nephew died from an aggressive form of cancer.

Mr Clough rode the bike as the pace driver in front of the hearse at his nephew’s funeral.

It was stolen from outside Mr Clough's home last Thursday morning between 12 and 2am, when he went inside to get the chains.

Mr Clough, 45, posted a picture to his Facebook page and on Gumtree and offered a £200 reward for its safe return.

He wrote: "This bike was purchased with my nephew before he past away this year in June. I am desperate for its return. Please can you keep an eye out for it. It has done 21000 miles - but I just want it back as its the only thing I have left."

The post was shared hundreds of times and on Monday Mr Clough got the outcome he hoped for when he received a call to say the bike had been found in Camden.

Mr Clough, a lorry driver, said: "I am absolutely overjoyed, words cannot explain. I honestly thought the bike had gone forever.

"I didn't even really care about the bike itself, but the sentimental loss is what made the theft so hard.

"It holds so many great memories of rides I used to take with my nephew - who was a keen rider."

Mr Clough said it was the news he was waiting for after a couple of false alarms about sightings.

He added: "This really has restored my faith in humans. The man that found it had been looking to buy a bike and saw mine, and then recognised it in his road. He would not even take a reward."

Hertfordshire Constabulary said they were investigating the theft.