A DIZZY thief is being hunted by police after stealing a bright pink car from a fairground ride.

The culprit is not thought to have made a speedy getaway as the Barbie Beetle will not move unless pushed and can only travel in a straight line.

The small fibreglass motor, measuring 4ft long and 2ft 6in wide, was one of a dozen carriages fixed to a carousel at a fairground in Stanhope, County Durham.

Owner Jamie Clark from J Clark Amusements, said he believed someone had stolen it as he was dismantling equipment in Front Street.

"I should imagine that someone has stolen it for their child, but it won't be of much use to anyone as it does not work without the ride. It's pretty useless," he sadi.

At first he and fellow fairground workers thought the theft may have been a drunken prank, but after a thorough search they fear someone has been waiting for the opportunity to take it.

Mr Clark, who has now moved on to Stokesley, North Yorkshire, is offering a £500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief - and the car's safe return.

"The ride will still go without it, but we want it back," he said.

The car, which is valued at £3,000, carries registration plates with the words "leshon'' on the front and back.

The fair had been visiting the Weardale town during its annual show at the weekend. The thief struck between 12.30am and 2am on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: ''The wheels of the car go round, but it has no power or steering.

''Therefore even if it has been stolen by someone thinking that it would make a gift for a young child, it would only be able to travel in a straight line.

''Although the car can be lifted from the ride by a single person, police think the thief almost certainly had another vehicle nearby on standby to place the Barbie Beetle and drive off.''

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 365 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.