by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

Days after returning from frontline duty in Afghanistan a Royal Engineer hero has had specialist bikes worth nearly £10,000 stolen from his garden.

Major Ian Webster came back from his tour last week after serving overseas with the Territorial Army for six months.

The 54-year-old who lives in The Street, Boughton, had taken his wife for a romantic overnight trip to London on Valentine's Day.

When the couple returned, however, they discovered thieves had cut through a padlock and stolen three mountain bikes used by Major Webster for triathlons and racing.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-one, who has represented Great Britain in triathlon world championships, had spent a lot of time and money lovingly restoring the bikes.

It is thought the criminals who nabbed the precious equipment knew what they were looking for as they took the three most expensive bikes kept in the lock-up and left two others.

Major Webster has now been forced to postpone his training and preparation for June's Escape from Alcatraz event in San Francisco, which sees 2,000 of the world's best athletes descend on the city to battle it out in the infamous and extreme sporting event.

Having been a member of the TA for more than 35 years, Major Webster is a highly skilled engineer and has worked in some of the most deadly regions of Afghanistan, including Kandahar and Lashkar Gah.

He said: "It is annoying to say the least and to say I'm angry would be an understatement.

"After spending so long in such an inhospitable and potentially dangerous place away from my family and friends I was really looking forward to getting back and being able to head out and train.

"I feel helpless and there is nothing I can do. I'm still in utter disbelief at what has happened.

"It is unbelievable and not what I was expecting on my return. It is sickening."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01795 433020.