POLICE are asking people to inform them if they are offered quad bikes for sale.

The alert follows the theft of £20,000 worth of bikes from KiK Motorcycles, Pendle Trading Estate, Chatburn.

On May 10 two red Honda four-wheel-drive 350cc quads (all-terrain vehicles -ATVs) with black frames were stolen, together with two galvanised trailers.

A week later, the offenders loaded a further four bikes into a Ford Cargo box can owned by the company. It was driven out of the locked yard, demolishing the gates. Each of the quads was worth £4,700.

The truck was found abandoned on Stoneholme Road Industrial Estate, Crawshawbooth, on May 17, minus the quad bikes. Police inquiries have revealed that similar machines have been offered for sale in the Rossendale and Burnley areas.

KiK owner Keith Knowles has offered a reward for information leading to conviction.

Insp Bob Ford said: "These quad bikes are widely use in agriculture. New ones are only sold by authorised dealers, so anyone else offering them for sale is suspicious.

"Foot and mouth has badly affected the ATV dealership -- the burglaries are the last straw."

Contact police on 01200 458705.