AN OUTDOOR pursuits enthusiast is offering a reward after raiders ransacked his home and stole thousands of pounds of specialist equipment.

Ice axes and expensive climbing boots and jackets were among the items taken from health worker Simon Besford's home, along with four mountain bikes.

Mr Besford, a keen mountaineer and cyclist, said neighbours reported seeing up to 20 youths removing the goods from his semi-detached home in Romanby Shaw, Greengates, Bradford

Mr Besford, 49, said he thought the burglars had struck lucky.

"I don't think they knew what was in the house, but when they saw what was there, they must have called up reinforcements to take everything away," he said. "It must have seemed like an Aladdin's Cave. They have cleaned me out."

Mr Besford is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

"The group was seen making their way in relay towards Eccleshill swimming baths. Some stuff has been handed in at the baths and I have found bits and pieces, but most of it is outstanding and I am still discovering things that are missing. It is devastating."

Mr Besford, his partner and their two-year-old son, were out when the raiders struck.

He said the burglars had forced the back door to gain entry and then smashed down locked internal doors to get at the property.

Mr Besford said: "A lot of the stuff they have taken is very expensive and unique. My passion is mountaineering and road and mountain biking. I have climbed in the Alps. It keeps me fit and active."

The haul of stolen goods includes four mountain bikes - a brown and orange Trek Remedy 9.9, a black carbon fibre Giant NRS, and two Claud Butler Cape Wrath models - around 30 brightly coloured climbing jackets and trousers, ten pairs of bright red, yellow and orange La Sportiva and Scarper mountaineering boots, half a dozen pairs of ice axes and several pairs of crampons, and even two expedition tents. The items were valued in total between £12,000 and £14,000.

A Gateway M505 laptop computer, a 32-inch TV and tools were also taken.

Mr Besford added: "They have trashed everything.

"I am devastated and angry. They even took some of my little boy's clothes. I am going to move out of Bradford. There is so much anti-social behaviour and drug dealing. This is the final straw.

"If anyone has any information about my property, please contact the police."

Police urged anyone with information about the burglary which occurred on the afternoon of January 31, or who has been offered any of the specialist and high value items for sale in suspicious circumstances to contact PC Andrew Jackson, of Bradford District Police, via 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.