A cyclist is offering a cash reward to anyone who can help find his unique bike after it was stolen in broad daylight.

Alastair Field, from St Mary's Platt, near Sevenoaks, says he's willing to pay £500 for information leading to its safe return as it holds sentimental value.

The modified black Trek Roscoe 7, with blue highlights on the pedals and grips, was stolen from Mereworth Woods near Swanton Road on Tuesday evening.

Mr Field said he turned his back for less than a minute and it was gone.

"It was stolen from right behind me while I stopped to clear a path. This guy, who had been watching me, hidden in a group of other people jumped out and rode away with it.

"He was acting alone, the others didn't know who he was so they were shouting to get my attention.

"I was in a state of disbelief for a while. I phoned the police straight away and I was very emotional. I'm really gutted it's gone."

The 27-year-old Forest School teaching assistant says he has travelled the world on this bike so it is worth more in sentimental value.

"It's more than just a valuable bike, it's my expedition bicycle so it's worth a lot more to me than what I spent on it so I'm willing to spend quite a lot of money to get it back.

"I bought it brand new for a trek all the way to Bosnia. After that I've taken it on various trips to the mountains in Germany, Belgium, and across Scotland. All of my free time is spent taking this bike on adventures.

"I've heavily modified it. It's now got blue highlights all over and it's very scratched and scuffed. The paintwork has been worn away by all of the bags that I've had strapped to it.

"It has very wide tyres, and nearly all parts have been replaced from the factory stock, making it very unique and distinctive.

"It won't sell for very much money but I'm worried that because it has nice parts, they will be taken off and the frame will be thrown away when really it's the frame that means the most to me.

"It will take me years to properly build up another expedition bicycle so I'm really hoping I can get it back."

Officers say the suspect was white, aged about 17 to 18, with long black hair. He wore a dark blue hooded top and white trainers.

It is understood the suspect left his own cycle at the scene.

Anyone with information should call police on 01622 604100, quoting reference 5-1078.

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