THIEVES have left a sub aqua club high and dry after stealing their boats from a locked store.

Members of Bishop Auckland Sub Aqua Club, County Durham, had been looking forward to taking their two inflatable dinghies on their first sea trip of the season, at the weekend.

But when equipment officer Mark Blewitt and two colleagues arrived to collect them from a container where they were kept, at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, on Saturday morning, they found the store empty.

Mr Blewitt said: "You could have heard a pin drop when we opened the container doors. The boats are the lifeblood of a diving club - losing them is like cutting your left arm off.

"I can only assume that someone had seen me put them in or knew they were there, because the rugby club is isolated and we thought they were safe."

Club members had worked hard to raise money for the dinghies, which are valued at about £12,500.

One was due to be taken on an Easter trip to Mull, and Mr Blewitt is trying to find a replacement.

They disappeared sometime between March 8 and Saturday morning.

One is a 5.5m Northcraft, with two 40hp Mariner short shaft two-stroke engines, an echo sounder, GPS and radio. It is distinctive because it has a central console fitted across the deck, allowing the cox to stand at the steering wheel.

The other is a 4.5m Humber, with two 30hp Mariner short shaft two-stroke engines, a combined echo sounder and GPS.

Police have appealed for anyone with information about the theft to come forward. They are asked to contact PC Mark Lloyd at Bishop Auckland police station, on (01388) 603566.