A former TT race champion from Bradford today warned trials bikers to be on their guard over the festive season after his vehicle was stolen.

Thieves broke into Nick Jefferies's locked garage and stole his Beta Rev Three trials machine, which he had ridden to victory just days before.

The 51-year-old rode the £3,500 bike in the clubman section of the Timperley Cup trials, held at Laneshaw-bridge, between Keighley and Colne, and kept his crown for the second year.

But Mr Jefferies has been left devastated after thieves stole the bike, which is yellow with red and yellow flashes on the fuel tank, from his home near Thornton.

Mr Jefferies, uncle of TT champion David Jefferies, who was killed while riding on the Isle of Man in May, today said he believed the theft of his bike was part of a growing problem across the district.

"The problem is I'll probably never see the bike again as it won't go to a proper trials rider. It will be used illegally at a dust heap by riders who have stolen the bike and it will probably be unrecognisable now anyway.

"Off-road bikes are attractive to people, particularly at Christmas, and I would urge people to be security-conscious at this time of year."

Mr Jefferies, who trades in motorcycles for a living, said he believed people were following riders home from events and then coming back later to steal their bikes.

The bike's registration number is YB03 LTA and its chassis number is ZD3B9000030008116.