Vintage motorbikes stolen

Mr Harrison has ridden the Panther to and from work

A vintage motorbike enthusiast has appealed for the return of seven machines - worth up to £25,000 - after they were stolen.

One of the bikes taken - a Scott 600cc - is 75 years old and worth £7,000.

They were taken from owner Howard Harrison's garage in Bolton.

He said he was devastated by the thefts because he has been collecting bikes for 27 years.

"The bikes are worth a lot of money now, but they have a far greater sentimental value for me as I've dedicated over half my life to collecting them and restoring them," said Mr Harrison.

"Only other collectors would truly appreciate them, and I'm hoping that someone out there may be offered one of my bikes and realise it's stolen."

The Norton Navigator is worth nearly £2,000

The bikes were taken some time between 1600 BST on 12 July and 1300 BST on 13 July, from the garage in Seddon Gardens, Prestolee, Bolton.

Greater Manchester Police said the offenders must have used a vehicle at least the size of a small lorry to transport the bikes.

Sergeant Bill Crittenden said the theft was "well planned" and the burglars probably spent time monitoring the garage before carrying out the raid.

"The bikes are extremely distinctive and I would urge any other motorbike enthusiasts to contact us if they have been offered one of these bikes, or knows someone who is trying to sell them," he said.

The bikes stolen were:

A 1962 orange Norton 250cc Navigator - registration SSU 588, worth £1,800

A 1966 maroon Matchles 250cc - registration RTU 585D, worth £1,000

A black Panther 600cc - registration Q127 WWJ, worth £2,750

A 1958 black Norton 650cc, with a BSA engine - registration SSU 586, worth £5,500

A 1928 black Scott 600cc - registration SSU 585, worth £7,000

A 1954 black / maroon BSA 600cc - registration FBV 360, worth £2,500

A 1950 red Ariel 500cc - registration AHC 422, worth £4,000