A teenager is devastated after determined thieves went to extraordinary lengths to steal his prized trials bike.

It is the second bike trials rider Joe Bradley from Otley has had stolen in under a year - and the fourth taken from his family.

And in the latest incident, thieves demolished the family shed, evaded two alarms, got through an internal metal gate and then cut their way through thief-proof chains.

They then carried two bikes, one of which was still connected to a 200lb weight, over a reinforced garden fence, along a ginnell and on to Bradford Road.

The theft has left the Prince Henry's pupil, who was placed second best youth in a series organised by the Wetherby Motor Club, too upset to go to school and unsure about his future in trials racing.

His mother, Annette Bradley, said the family was devastated. "We've got it like Fort Knox here, but still they managed to get through - they must have nerves of steel.

"My son is devastated, but we won't be able to buy him another bike.

"I'm still paying for this one and now we haven't even got it anymore.

"Joe was just beginning to get somewhere - but we won't be buying another bike, we just can't afford it."

The two bikes, a 160cc GasGas, bought for Joe's 13th birthday, and a 250cc Beta Techno, worth a total of £3,000, were suitable only for trials events and can't be used on the roads.

Mrs Bradley said she believed thieves targeted owners at trials, followed them home and stole the bikes later. The Bradleys had their first two bikes stolen in July last year before thieves tried to steal their replacements in June this year.

After the second attempt, the family upped the security even more but still the thieves were able to swoop.

Mrs Bradley added: "I let the dog out and saw my son's mountain bike had been left out. I walked down the garden and couldn't believe what I saw - the whole back of the shed had been taken off and they'd cut though a £150 bike chain that wasn't supposed to be able to be cut.

"It must have taken two people to carry the 200lb weight and another two to carry the bikes."

The theft happened in the early hours of last Thursday morning and anyone who saw anything suspicious should telephone PC Bird at Otley Police on (01943) 858071.