A PRIZE motorbike which was to be used in an advert featuring Superbike champ Carl Fogarty was stolen the night before filming was due to start.

The Ducati machine and valuable racing gear was stolen from a van parked outside the County Hotel in Blackburn.

Blackburn racer and four times world champion Carl Fogarty was due to start filming a short advert for the BBC.

The channel is showing the World Superbike Championships this year and the Mellor-based superstar is leading the promotion for the corporation.

The distinctive red Ducati 996 Biposta bike was stolen from the back of a Mercedes van parked outside the hotel. The bike is owned by the Italian racing team.

The 1000cc bike is valued at around £10,000 and has the registration number V479 UNH. A set of personalised motorbike leathers, boots and a helmet were also stolen by the thieves.

The theft took between 9pm on Thursday and 6.45am on Friday and police are appealing for any witnesses.

Detectives are investigating the theft and think the specialised motorbike could have been stolen to order.

A spokesman for the police said: "It seems unlikely that this was an opportune theft. It is likely that the people who took the bike and leathers knew what they were looking for."

The BBC who were filming close to Pendle Hill had to make last minute arrangements to find a replacement but did not want to comment on the theft.

Anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously at the County Hotel on Thursday night should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 51212 or the Confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

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