A COMMUNITY fitness programme aimed at helping people of all ages to get in shape is in danger of collapsing because its 20 mountain bikes have been stolen.

The £10,000 haul, including a trailer and 28 helmets, was taken by thieves who smashed their way into a council depot at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle.

It was feared yesterday that the gang will clean the bikes and try to sell them as Christmas presents.

Sergeant Steve Stein of Barnard Castle Police said: "We believe they must have been stolen specifically to sell as festive gifts. We are requesting that anyone offered one of them should tell us immediately."

The machines are eight Carrera Karkens, eight Carrera Vulcans, all silver, and four blue and white Apollo Exc 26s. The helmets were marked as the Pamero brand. They were all in a specially-made box trailer.

They were bought for a project organised by Teesdale District Council, the Primary Care Trust and Groundwork Trust, with the aim of getting people from school age to pensioners to start taking gentle exercise.

Oliver Graham, manager of the scheme, said: "We have had more than 700 people taking part so far, starting with three-mile rides and building up to longer distances.

"It has been a great success, as some people were overweight and others had not exercised for years.

"I feel the thieves must have struck with Christmas in mind. The bikes have been well maintained, and with a bit of effort could be made to look like new. They will probably be offered as ideal presents at bargain prices."

Short rides have been arranged in Hamsterley Forest as well as on old railway tracks and quiet country lanes.

But training was about to start in readiness for taking children aged ten to 13 on the Coast-to-Coast route from Whitehaven to Sunderland, a distance of 140 miles, in April.

Mr Grahamsaid: "This will be our biggest effort, but unless we get the bikes back it will be in doubt."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Barnard Castle Police on 0845-6060365.