A SPECIALIST mountain bike has been stolen from a shed in Worcester.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the downhill bike was taken from a property in Happy Land West, in St John's.

The theft is believed to have taken place between 9.30pm on Sunday and 8.30pm on Monday, when the lock was removed from a shed door.

"The bike is very much a specialist bike," a police spokesman said. "The owner believes there may be only one other like it in the Worcester area."

The bike is a Ruccus AX mountain bike, with a 17-inch charcoal grey frame and a black gel saddle. There is a red animal sticker on the frame.

The bike is fitted with Rock Shock forks at the front, and the front wheel has a disc brake. It has deraillieur gears, and is fitted with moto-cross type tyres.

"A bike like this should be readily identifiable," said the police spokesman.

"We're asking people who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Happy Land West area at the relevant time, or who have seen a bike fitting this description, to get in touch with us as soon as possible."

Callers should telephone 08457 444888, quoting the incident number 214C/160505, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.