THIEVES stole three top bikes — worth a total of £9,000 — from a shed in Westhoughton.

Police have released pictures of the three mountain bikes and are appealing for information.

A neighbour saw three men walk down the side of a house in Cavendale Road at 4.45am yesterday.

They went into the back garden and forced their way into the garden shed where one of the thieves stole the three mountain bikes and the gang ran off.

One of the burglars is described as white, in his early 20s and was wearing a black hooded top. There are no descriptions of the other men. The bikes are worth a total of £9,000.

One of the bikes is a Specialized men’s Tarmac Expert road bike, which had no wheels, and it is valued at £3,000. The second is a Specialized men’s Stump-jumper marathon in white, with Mavic wheels with red chain rings. This is valued at £3,500. The third is a Specialized women’s mountain bike in black, worth £2,500.

A neighbour said: “I am really surprised as it’s a quiet street. Nothing like that usually happens. I hope they manage to find the thieves and bikes.”

Another added: “I am a light sleeper and I didn't hear a thing.”

Det Con Stuart Round, from Farnworth police station, said: “These bikes are very distinctive and hold a great deal of value to their owners. If anyone has any information about the burglary, has been offered the bikes or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the early hours of yesterday, call us as soon as possible.” Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5608, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.