A DAD has put up a £1,000 reward for the safe return of his son’s beloved motocross bike which was stolen from the car park of an East Lothian hotel.

Ten-year-old Charley Irwin, of Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, was “shocked and gutted” at the theft, which meant he could not compete in the Ecosse MX Winter Series at Dunbar, held on Sunday, January 28.

The youngster – who had travelled to East Lothian with his mum Sandra McAdam and dad Neil Irwin to race – had to return home.

They had stayed at the Premier Inn Edinburgh A1 near Whitecraig the night before th competition and woke the next day to find their van had been broken into, with Charley’s motocross bike and helmet – together valued at £5,500 – stolen.

Sandra said: “Charley was shocked and couldn’t believe it. Children don’t think this is going to happen to them. He has no other bike.”

Now Neil has put up a £1,000 reward on social media for the safe return of the KTM 2018 small-wheel 85 motocross bike to enable Charley to resume his racing all over the UK in the British Youth National series and other competitions.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Police are investigating the theft of an orange and blue KTM motocross bike.

“The bike displays a name and the number 50, and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the bike or saw or heard anything suspicious in the area over the weekend.”

Call 101 quoting reference 1160 of Sunday, January 28, with information, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.