BLACKBURN is one of the worst hotspots for motorbike thefts a new report out today reveals.

The town is ranked 31st out of the 100 town's most at risk for theft following an investigation carried out on behalf of Motor Cycle News magazine.

Its Bike Theft Survey, which ranks every postcode area in the UK in order of theft risk, reveals more than 50,000 motorbikes are stolen in the UK every year.

And Blackburn bike owners are being urged to do more to protect their machines with the chance of it being stolen increasing over the 12 months.

The town has shot up eight places on the on the magazine's league table with Blackburn ranked 39 last year. The most likely place to have your motorbike stolen is North London and the thieves' favourite model is a Yamaha R1.

It is followed by Honda's CBR600 and the Yamaha R6 and the survey found most thefts now take place from private drives or garages.

Tony Carter, news editor of Motor Cycle News, said: "Our investigation shows that modern day bikers have to be more vigilant about the security of their pride and joy than ever before. Motorcycles are very desirable and are obviously at the top of thieves' wish list right now."

Other findings of the survey include that wherever bikers live, May is the worst month for bike thefts and Sunday the most likely day for thieves to strike.

And in light of the survey, the police have stressed "the best deterrent is a good chain attached to a ground anchor, with no part of it resting on the ground."