THIEVES struck just days before Christmas to steal £12,000 worth of metal parts from a school's rowing boats, rendering the vessels useless.

Sixty aluminium riggers were taken from ten boats belonging to Great Marlow School Rowing Club.

The theft has left promising rising stars such as twins Ellie and Bethany Osborn, 15, who are aiming for the Great Britain junior squad, unable to train for the foreseeable future.

Their mother Sue Osborn, of River Park Drive, Marlow, said the pair were 'gobsmacked'.

“They are really upset they are not going to be able to put in some really good training before the GB trials in February,” she said.

Andrew Jones, Chairman of Great Marlow Swans, the parents' supporters group of Great Marlow School Rowing Club, was left puzzled and shocked by the crime.

“Over 100 kids will now not be able to train over Christmas and beyond, the boats are rendered useless without the riggers,” he said.

“We have got people at Great Marlow who are on the verge of getting in the Great Britain junior squad, it means they can't train. It's an all year sport that requires a rigorous level of application.”

He had this message for the culprits: “If you have any heart whatsoever, either throw them over the fence at Longridge, or bring them back to us.

“But if it is someone doing it for the scrap metal value my second plea is to other clubs.

“Please be aware your rigging has a value in the black market.

“Boats left out are a target, we don't want what's happened to us to happen you, where hundreds of kids can't row.”

The parts had been taken off the boats and stored securely as standard practice, away from the road and well hidden.

It happened between December 16 and Monday night.

Initially, metal thieves seeking to sell the parts on the currently thriving black market were suspected by the club.

Strangely though, it appears that only Great Marlow School and none of the other clubs whose boats are stored in the same vicinity, were targeted.

Mr Jones said: “It irks me that only our school's equipment has been taken, it strikes me as odd and everyone I've spoken to says it's odd. If you were an opportunist thief, you wouldn't distinguish between the various clubs' boats.”

The club are insured but Mr Jones said it is not certain yet to what level, and even if the expense is covered, it may be a long process.

Repairs are not simple because each boat has specialised individual fittings, he added.

No arrests have been made and police remain open minded as to the motive.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw anything suspicious to call it on 101.