A WORLD-champion cyclist is distraught after thieves stole ten of his prized bicycles - valued at around £18,000.

Twenty seven-year-old Scott Beaumont - the country's number one downhill cyclist - realised the bikes had gone missing when he went to the lockup at the back of his Cutnall Green home to wash one and noticed the door open.

Intruders had got in and stolen eight Kona race bikes, one BMX and a road bike - also taking a mountain bike frame and ten specialist wheels.

Scott, who has been cycling since the age of four and regularly races in Europe as well as North and South America, said he was particularly upset as he won prizes on some of them.

He said: "It was just gutting really - a lot of them have sentimental value and are essential to what I do."

The former Worcester Sixth Form College student, who clinched BMX world titles in 1995 and 1996 in Columbia and England respectively, has now been left with a dilemma as the bike he was meant to be racing in Ludlow this weekend was also stolen.

Fortunately he returned from a world championship race in Scotland at the weekend and left two in his van - one of which he will take to Ludlow - but said it was not ideal. He added it would take some time to replace them but many were irreplaceable.

Police have been alerted and Scott has contacted bicycle websites to ask them to keep an eye out.

He said: "It is upsetting because I know it is stuff that is going to be thrown in a river because it is of no use to anyone other than myself.

"It is such a small catchment of people who sell these bikes it is going to be impossible for them to get rid of them."

Scott has been racing bikes professionally from the age of 18 and was snapped up by a mountain bike company to compete after he won his world titles.

He was also named Wychavon Sports Personality of the Year in 1997 for his biking achievements.

The theft happened some time between Tuesday evening and 8pm on Wednesday. Anyone who saw anything suspicious or is offered any of the equipment should call Droitwich police on 08457 444 888.