A FOREST bike race ace has had his rare £5,000 machine stolen just weeks before the start of the new season.

The family of Liam Jones is putting up a £1,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of the Specialized Demo 2011 bike which is one of just 40 in the UK.

The bike was taken from the family's enclosed garden in Hillrise, Bream between 5.30pm and 8pm last Saturday (December 29).

The frame is a distinctive shape and bright yellow.

There were only 250 of the bikes made and it was imported to the UK from Poland.

Liam's dad, Nick, said: "We are all devastated and we want it returned.

"Liam works hard to earn the money to pay for the bike and some low-life has come into our home and stolen it."

It is not just the theft of the bike that has hit the family – Liam's younger sister also worries that they might return.

Liam, who rides for the Pedalabikeaway downhill team, washed the bike down after a day of racing and left it to dry under the kitchen window.

Mr Jones said: "Liam has had the bike for about 10 months and he washes it out of sight in the garden and then brings it into the house when it has dried.

"He did it as usual on Saturday but when it went out to bring it in it has gone.

"We think we might have been followed from Cannop and they sneaked in then.

"We've noticed quite a few bikes left in gardens around the place but they haven't been touched.

"The new season starts soon and Liam needs the bike for practise."

Liam's step-mum Debbie added: "I was in the kitchen for most of the evening so they must have sneaked in under the window while I was there."

The family and friends are keeping a close eye on online auction sites and have appealed for others to look out for the bike.

They fear the bike has been stripped for its valuable components and the distinctive frame dumped.

The theft has been reported to the police and anyone with information is asked to telephone 101 with refer­ence 397 of Dec­ember 29 or to call the family directly on 564586.