A MAN from Weymouth is appealing for help after thieves broke into his garage and stole his bike.

Barry Stuck, 26, said he discovered that his bike had been stolen from his family home on Brackendown Avenue, Preston on Friday, January 24.

He said: "We think it would have been stolen between midnight on Friday and morning hours of Saturday. A noise was heard by a neighbour at around 4am so we suspect that may have been when the garage was broken into.

"The garage door was wedged open and the lock was broken. It looked like some force was used in order to get it open, so we think it may have been more than one person.

"We are trying our hardest to find the items ourselves on online for sale sites, Facebook, etc.

"We want people to keep an eye out and stay vigilant as these people may still be around targeting properties in the area.

"We are encouraging people to report any suspicious activity selling these two particular items since the burglary date."

The bike is a Boardman hybrid URB 8.8 in matte blue, worth approximately £800. It has black tyres, black handle bars, black seat and black peddles. It has Zefal front and rear mud guards. and HeroBeam front and rear lights. The bike also has a distinctive scuff mark on the top bar.

As well as the bike, the thieves also stole a £400 welder. The MIG welder is red with a black front, black handle and black wheels. No other items appeared to be missing.

Mr Stuck added: "We are encouraging people to report any suspicious activity selling these two particular items since the burglary date.

"There’s no sentimental value but the bike meant a lot as a lot of hard work went into saving up to buy it."

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Enquiries are ongoing but no arrests have been made at this stage.

"If any members of the public have any information they can contact us on 101 using the incident number 55200012645."