A HEARTBROKEN teenager woke up to find thieves had taken £400 worth of fishing gear he-had worked over the last two years to buy.

A tackle shop owner has put up a £200 reward after James Tyley went outside his house in Nether Cerne near Dorchester to find his beloved rods and tackle had gone.

The 14-year-old has been doing gardening and other odd jobs around the village and at nearby shooting grounds to pay for his kit, and fellow fisherman are so appalled they are already donating equipment for him to use.

James said: “I was about to go fishing so I went to load the car up and it wasn’t there.

“It’s so annoying because it’s a lot of stuff that’s gone. “I’ve been working hard for it and it all means a lot to me so if anybody sees it can they tell the police.”

The equipment was covered in an open carport area next to the house when it was taken between 9.30pm on Friday and 8.30am on Saturday.

James, who attends the Gryphon School in Sherborne, added: “I want to thank everyone who has donated fishing equipment for me.”

His mum Elaine, 42, said she was upset as her son ‘lives for fishing’ and had worked hard to pay for his equipment.

She said: “He absolutely loves fishing. He lives for it and works for it and some horrible person has nicked his gear.”

Mrs Tyley was about to drive James to the lakes at Revels Fishery when they found the equipment was stolen.

Revels Tackle shop owner James Fricker said he would give £200 for information that leads to the recovery of the stolen items and prosecution.

He said: “They absolutely cleaned him out. It’s totally the wrong person for this to happen to as he’s the best lad.”

James is a member of Dorchester and District Angling Society and secretary Steve Sudworth said the club would support him any way they could and have gear for him to use.

He said: “It’s sad and we will support him as best we can.”

The thieves made off with a Middy rock hard pole, Shimano rod, Ron Thompson feeder rod, a silver-grey Fox seatbox, feeders, weights, reels and bait boxes.

The theft has been reported to Dorset Police and any witnesses or anyone with information about the stolen items can call them on 01305 222222.