AN on-call firefighter has been left unable to attend life-saving emergency calls after thieves stole his moped.

Tom Nolan, 20, used the black Piaggio scooter on Sunday evening to get to Rochford fire station when he was called out to attend a blaze in Hawkwell.

After battling the fire, Tom returned home to Parklands, in Rochford, but woke up the next morning to find the vehicle had been taken.

Tom lives his life as a normal 20-year-old, and studies musical theatre at South Essex College.

That is until his pager sounds - then he becomes a professional firefighter, on the front line, saving lives.

But he can only work if he can get to the fire station, in South Street, within five minutes of the pager sounding.

Without his scooter Tom is unable to make that commitment and said he hopes that by making a public appeal the thieves will do the right thing and return it.

He said: “I’ve been an on-call firefighter since September and feel so proud that I am doing something good for the community. “Without my scooter I can’t do a job that I love.

“Without work, and with the added pressure of paying for public transport to get to college, I don’t know when I’ll be able to get the money together to buy a new one.

“I’m really hoping that the thieves, whoever they are, will hear about this and return it, so I can continue doing my part to keep the community safe.”

An Essex Fire Service spokesman said: “On-call firefighters are a vital part of our service. One of the main requirements of the job is to be able to respond quickly when they are needed.

“Without his scooter, Tom is unable to do his job.

“We urge anyone with information to come forward so that Tom can be reunited with his scooter and return to his station and crew to continue protecting his local community.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating after a black Piaggio Scooter was stolen from the driveway of a house in Parklands, Hawkwell.

“It is thought the scooter was stolen sometime in the early hours of Sunday, February 5.

“Anybody who has any information about the theft is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.

“People can also give information to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via an Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org”