THOUGHTFUL staff at a Greenock mobile phone shop got a great reception as they stepped in to help an autistic schoolboy whose phone was stolen.

Jaymi Mackie, who attends Craigmarloch School, was on a day out with his nan Sandra Boyd at McDonald’s in Greenock when a man took his mobile.

The 12-year-old, of Kirkwall Road, who also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was left too distraught to leave the house after the ordeal.

Our story on his plight sparked a big reaction, with offers of help flooding in.

Now Jaymi is over-the-moon after staff at Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse at the Waterfront Retail Park joined forces to get him a replacement mobile.

William McPherson, who is a sales manager at Currys PC World, initially started an online fundraising page for Jaymi.

He then spoke to his colleagues at Carphone Warehouse and the company decided to donate a new phone to Jaymi.

William said: "I spoke to Carphone Warehouse to see what they could do and they were keen to help - so they stepped in and have given Jaymi a new iPhone XR which is brilliant.

"All the money that was raised online will be refunded to everyone who was nice enough to donate to this cause."

Alyson MacPherson, a sales advisor at Currys PC World, added: "William started the whole thing, it was his idea.

"I just sent the emails to the relevant people at Carphone."

Jaymi's mum Lynne Smith said they are so grateful to the company for their help.

Jaymi will also be treated to a day out at the local Laser Matrix centre.

She said: "The kindness everyone has shown has left me speechless.

"Jaymi is so happy to get a new phone.

"I would like to say a big thank-you."

Police are still investigating the theft of Jaymi's phone and officers believe that an organised crime gang were responsible.