A TEENAGER has been left devastated after thieves stole his two treasured bikes made especially for his favourite sport of downhill biking. Luke Stanley, aged 15, of Pipers Lane in Harpenden, spends most of his spare time speeding down hills which require

A TEENAGER has been left devastated after thieves stole his two treasured bikes made especially for his favourite sport of downhill biking.

Luke Stanley, aged 15, of Pipers Lane in Harpenden, spends most of his spare time speeding down hills which requires extremely specialised bikes.

He has used all his savings since he took up the sport a year ago to pay for parts to build up his bikes and one of them is now among the first in the country because it has a new type of suspension.

But between Christmas and New Year thieves smashed through a window and broke into the locked shed containing the bikes which have an estimated value of around £4,000.

Luke's mother, Amanda, explained that her son, who is a pupil at Roundwood Park, normally uses his bikes every day but on December 27 and 28 he did not because they were entertaining family at their home.

She said the thieves must have taken the bikes at some point over those two days.

Luke normally travels to a downhill biking spot at Chicksands in Bedfordshire and he had lots of trips planned with his friends during the remainder of the school holidays.

Amanda said on Monday: "He is devastated. He was due to go out yesterday with his friends but he just ended up walking around watching everyone else."

Desperate to see their son reunited with his bikes, Luke's parents are offering a £500 reward for information which leads to their return.

One of the bikes is a chocolate-brown Giant Faith 2 bike with Triple 8 suspension forks.

The other is a white Specialized bike with a rear wheel Halo Tornado.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 07709 023376.