DEVASTATED fencing champion Neil Ross is asking eagle-eyed Journal readers to see red and help him win gold.

The British wheelchair sabre champion desperately needs your help if he is to represent his country in April's European Fencing Championships.

Callous thieves who broke into his Tyldesley home on January 2 stole all his fencing gear.

Missing are his epee, foil and sabre - all types of stainless steel swords and each about three feet long.

They also stole his jackets emblazoned with his name on the back, masks, electric scoring gear and a big red bag with Neil's name on it.

Sad Neil, who was 14 when he had his right leg amputated because of bone disease, explained:"All the gear is made to measure and my name is in bold for everyone to see.

"It's frustrating because I suppose the thieves realised it was worthless to them and threw the bag away.

"It must be somewhere and means £2,500 - £3,000 to me. I simply can't afford to replace the items."

Sporting Neil is also a basketball international and, as top swordsman, British team chiefs are banking on him being available for the Paris championships.

"I was hoping to get a medal," he told The Journal.

Anyone with any information about his missing equipment, or who could offer replacements, should call 01942 892297.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.