A MOTORBIKE enthusiast is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the thieves who took three bikes worth up to £10,000 from Pontllanfraith.

Glyn Williams, 66, from Crosskeys, was storing two vintage motorbikes at his brother’s house when they were taken sometime between midnight and 7am on December 27.

Thieves also stole a motorbike belonging to Mr Williams’ son, and the haul of bikes was worth between £7,000 and £10,000.

Mr Williams, who has collected motorbikes for more than 30 years, said one of the vintage bikes was a BSA Bantam 175, from around 1960, that was worth between £3,500 and £5,000. Another was a 1959 AJS 350, worth around £3,500. Mr Williams said he had restored both bikes himself over many years. The third bike was a seven-year-old Beta Alp 200 worth £2,000 that belonged to his son Tim.

Mr Williams said his brother Haydn discovered the theft early last Wednesday, when he found another bike on his driveway. He then discovered the garage where the bikes were kept had been forced open with a crowbar.

He is now offering a £1,000 reward for information.

A spokeswoman for Gwent Police confirmed the burglary of three motorbikes was reported on December 27, and was thought to have taken place sometime between midnight and 7am on that day.

She said enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.