A bid to bring a community together to have fun has been destroyed after thieves stole three bikes worth more than £5,000.

Clifford Herbertson, from Pitsea, only moved to the area last year with his wife and three sons and started arranging activity days and camps for church groups and clubs.

The main attraction has been quads and motorbikes which he allows local children to use - but they were stolen when the family home was broken into.

Appeal - Clifford Herbertson with a quad bike similar to one which was stolen Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 7TDDNF5

Mr Herbertson said: "We have had more than 200 different children using the bikes and it is a great shame not just to our sons who are gutted but we also had two groups coming last week."

The quads, a blue Moto-rama blazer 100cc worth £1,500 and a red sport 100cc worth £1,600 were taken from an out building on the family's land as well as the red MRX3 worth £1,000.

The incident has been reported to the police and PC Trevor Poole, at Pitsea, is the officer dealing. He can be contacted on 01268 532212.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002