Two promising young motocross stars could be forced to quit the sport after their specialist racing bikes were stolen.

Brothers Paul and Richard Dixon were forced forced to pull out of two Bank Holiday weekend competitions after the machines were taken from the garage at their Rowhedge home.

Although the successful riders had secured sponsorship deals, both said they could not afford to replace their bikes and now look set to quit racing for good.

The Dixons, who have both competed for more than a decade, have put up a £500 reward for information leading to the bikes' return.

Richard, 21, said the thieves first moved a car from the driveway of the family home in Parkfield Street before forcing their way into the locked garage.

"The bikes were on a trailer and had a heavy-duty metal chain going through the engines, through the trailer and was then secured through the concrete floor."

The thieves, who struck some time overnight on Sunday, broke the padlock before towing the trailer and bikes away, said Richard.

He said a car with a tow-bar had also been stolen from the village and police said the incidents could be linked.

"We are both absolutely gutted and it looks like we may never be able to race again," said Richard.

Paul, 25, had been the Eastern Centre champion in 1997 and Richard was set to join him in the amateur expert class next season.

The brothers are supported by their parents Pat and Brian, who join them every meeting.

Richard said: "I have been racing since I was six-years-old and it took me three years to save up for this bike - I just will not be able to afford another one."

The stolen bikes are both red Honda CR 250s. One bore the sponsorship markings of Tower MX and the other had the symbols of Fran Transport.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.