RED-FACED police bosses were today trying to find three of their own mountain bikes - after they were stolen from the station yard.

The cycles, believed to be worth around £1,000, were left chained up in a small bike shed at the rear of the Northgate police station in Blackburn last Friday.

But they had disappeared, along with the chains used to secure them, when officers went to look for them on Monday morning.

Police were today trying to establish if the bikes were used by officers over the weekend but believe they were probably taken on Friday night. One of the bikes was donated to Blackburn police last May by the On Yer Bike cycle shop on Whalley New Road and was used by community beat bobbies.

It boasts an array of special features, including an energy-saving frame and puncture-protection sealant inside the inner tubes and was put together virtually from scratch.

The other two bikes, both navy blue, were bought by police in September to help traffic wardens get to outlying areas of town.

On Yer Bike owner John Aspden was told of the theft by police yesterday.

He said: "They rang me to tell me and they wanted to know what the bike was worth.

"It just shows you how careful you have got to be."

Superintendent Eddie Walsh, head of Blackburn police, said: "There are three mountain bikes belonging to the police which are missing. We are looking into the disappearance."

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