THIEVES have taken a £15,000 engine from a microlight after breaking into a hangar at Eastbach Airfield.

It is thought they spent hours removing the engine from Graham Linley's Ikarus C42 plane which was being stored in its own specialised hangar in English Bicknor.

Graham, who lives in the village, said he believed the desirable Rotax 912S engine was stolen to order and may be on its way to the Continent to be sold on.

"They knew exactly what they were doing and they seemed to know the layout of the airfield," said Graham, 75.

"They first broke into a big hangar containing three planes and collected some tools, then they broke into another to get some rope and a torch.

"When they got to my plane they cut the seatbelts out and I think they used them as slings to carry the engine away."

The theft happened between 4.30pm on Wednesday, December 15 and around 8am on the morning of Friday, December 17.

Graham said: "I've been flying since I was 66 and I bought the plane three years ago. The engine had only done around 87 hours and it was only just run-in. Thankfully it was fully insured and I hope to have it back together again in time for the summer.

"It's just a nuisance because the insurance rates will go up and there will be excesses on the policy– it's going to be an expensive time getting the plane back together."

In online forums, microlight owners are venting their frustration that their personal details and that of their craft are published online through the Civil Aviation Authority website.

A spokesman from the CAA said: "The details will include the registered owner's home address, details of the craft and in some cases what engine is in it. However, since planes are rarely stored at the owner's home address I don't think there is a link between the thefts and details available online."

Anyone with information on this incident should ring the police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting incident number 58 of December 17.