TWO friends who had the chance to ride their trials bikes only once before they disappeared from a garage in Loveclough have put up a £200 reward for their return.

Simon Charleson and Steven Neil bought their Montessa Cota bikes just three weeks' before they were stolen in mid-August.

The friends, double glazing and conservatory fitters for Burnley firm Crossmans, had been working on their bikes at Simon's home in Hempshaw Close when they noticed a young man with a dog walk past and stare at the bikes.

Another young man then also looked into the garage where the bikes were kept. Next morning the padlocked garage had been broken into and the machines were gone.

Simon, 27, said: "I was gutted. Since we bought them we had had only one chance to go out on the bikes and that was to a trials event on Hameldon Hill.

"I have been into biking since I was a youngster but we just came into some extra money from work and decided to treat ourselves to the motorbikes.

"We had been working on them and saw these young men looking in. This is a very quiet area so it is unusual that they should both be stolen from the garage that same night."

Steven, from Barrowford, and Simon have now decided to offer a reward in the hope someone will return their bikes. They had been planning another trip on Saturday, but have had to call it off.

The Montessa Cota bikes, both with silver alloy frames, are a 1998 black and red and a 1995 white and purple. Neither has a registration plate because they are off-road trials models.

Simon said: "If anyone is offered the bikes or has any knowledge of where they are, we would be grateful if they could contact 07817 440926 or Rossendale police on 01706 237442."