A BIKER whose £8,000 machine was stolen yesterday says he is close to giving up his hobby.

Mark Stephenson has given up hope of recovering his ten-year-old Harley-Davidson machine, which was taken in the early hours from a shed at his home in High Street, Tow Law.

He believes the bike, which is grey and has a distinctive painted fuel tank, was stolen to order.

He said: "I restored old bikes and sold them to get enough money together to pay for the Harley, and now I don't think I will be bothering any more. It isn't worth the aggravation. There was another bike in the shed and some tools and they weren't touched. Whoever took it knew what they were looking for. I don't even think it is in the North-East. I don't think I have a hope of seeing it again."

The bike's fuel tank was airbrushed with a design of facial images which 35-year-old Mark took from a favourite poster.

Police have circulated bike shops in the region hoping to get information.

PC Jeff Moore, of Crook police, said: "The bike is so easily recognised whoever has taken won't be able to ride it without being spotted."

Anyone who has information about the theft should contact PC Moore on (01388) 762011.