A MOTORSPORT enthusiast is appealing for information to help trace his distinctive car after it was stolen. 

David Hobson, 29, said the Subaru Impreza, which he has lovingly built from the ground up, was stolen from Jackson Hill Lane, Queensbury, yesterday. 

He says it has been spotted in and around the area since it was taken.

"My next door neighbour came home from picking her kids up and she noticed my garage door was open and there was a lot of my spare wheels down the drive and she wondered what was going on," he said.

"The car was missing. She came straight to my work and said 'you've been burgled' and I went straight down."

He says he believes the culprits got in through the back door of the garage and have also targeted the house, stealing cash, an Xbox, jewellery and watches. 

Mr Hobson, a mechanic for Hobson Motorsport, Fleet Lane, Queensbury, uses the car for motorsport rallying, a hobby he has enjoyed for around 11 years and has spent five years "scrimping and saving" to make £8,000 of modifications. 

"I've built it from the ground up," he said. "It was just a normal car. It's got a proper engine, it's got group A prodrive suspension on it, tank guards, custom seats.

"I would like to find the car in whatever state. I spent a lot of time on it - I would charge a lot for the work I've done to it. 

"The parts on it are useless to those sort of people. It's useful to people in motorsport. I feel like I've lost a leg.

"I was out all night looking for it. 

"I think they have been chancers. If it was for the car, I don't think they would be driving around in it."

He says the car is worth around £16,000 but said: "If I do get it back, I don't know how much it's going to be worth."

Mr Hobson said people have messaged him saying they have seen the vehicle, which starts by pressing a button, around the area including in Scholemoor and Clayton

He asked anyone with information to get in touch. 

Meanwhile, police have said Bradford South ward officers will be carrying out additional patrols in the area due to an increase in burglaries in Queensbury. 

A spokesperson said: "We are committed to reducing Burglary offences in your area and ask that you report any suspicious activity to 999 or 101.

"Please remember to lock all your doors and windows prior to going to bed and any side gates. Please also keep any vehicle keys out of sight.

If you have any information regarding burglary offences please contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."