THE parents of two brothers left devastated when thieves stole their motorbike and a quad bike have stepped up the search for the missing machines -- by offering another bike as a reward.

The vehicles are owned by six-year-old Sebastian Taylor and his five-year-old brother Thomas who attend Haslingden Primary School.

They had been stored in a garage at their home in Maple Avenue, Haslingden, and were stolen between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon.

The family is offering a reward for the return of the bike and quad -- a three-wheeler 250cc Yamaha Tri/Z beach bike in working order.

Their mum Susan said: "I had been with the children at my brother's wedding and my husband Keith had been at his daughter's wedding.

"When we got back and discovered the theft the boys were heartbroken. They just can't understand how anybody could be so cruel to pinch their bikes.

"This is a quiet cul-de-sac and they used to ride them on the driveway and on a field."

Sebastian's bike is a Yamaha 80cc with a purple seat, white body and purple petrol take guard and is worth £650.

Thomas's quad is 50cc and has a blue seat and yellow body and is worth £550.

She said she had lived in Haslingden for 12 years and the family, including their two other children Benjamin, two, and six-month-old Measha, had been in Maple Avenue for the past seven months.

Susan said: "My husband's bike was stolen from here but we managed to get it back.

"If they had taken his again we would have been concerned but not as bothered as the children obviously are because they cannot understand why someone would want to steal their Christmas presents.

"Keith has another bike which he no longer uses so we have decided to put it up as a reward if anyone manages to get the children's bike and quad back."

Det Sgt Stuart Barlow said: "A white E or F-registered Maestro van was seen in the cul-de-sac and I am appealing for anyone who may have seen this van to contact the police on 01706 237442."