A WORLD-champion cyclist is distraught after thieves stole 10 of his prized bicycles - together 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 lock-up at the back of his Droitwich home to wash one and saw 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 and North and South America, 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, 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 be vigilant.

He said: "It's upsetting because I know it's stuff that's going to be thrown in a river because it's of no use to anyone else.

"It's such a small catchment of people who sell these bikes it's 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 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 bikes or equipment is asked to call Droitwich police on 08457 444888.