A BOWLER was left devastated after thieves stole his priceless bowls that have helped him to secure countless victories on the green.

Carl Armitage, of Station Road, hopes the public will be able to help him to trace the stolen property after thieves targeted his van overnight on August 7 between 9.30pm and 6.30am.

The van was parked up on West Avenue in Orford when it was targeted by opportunistic thieves.

The 48-year-old, who represents Cheshire and has won numerous league titles and team competitions with his Warrington club St Oswald's, said: "It was in the morning when I realised they had been stolen.

"The door of the van was slightly ajar and you could tell someone had been inside.

"At first I didn't think they had taken anything of value but, as I started to drive off, I remembered that the bowls had been in the van.

"I was gutted – they are not a massive expense but it will be hard to replicate them.

"I have been playing with them for six years – they have helped me to win a lot of competitions.

“They mean a lot to me.”

The former St John's Catholic High School pupil, who has been a major force on the sport’s competition scene for many years with his Waterloo success in Blackpool in 2000 being among the highlights, remains hopeful that the culprits will have dumped the bowls once they have realised their true monetary value.

It is understood a number of children’s bikes were also stolen on the same night from a nearby property.

The bowls had red disks and were in a blue adidas bag.

If you can help Carl to find the stolen property email carl.armitage@yahoo.com.