A RARE high-performance car belonging to a car enthusiast was stolen in the early hours yesterday after intruders broke into a house and stole the keys.

Burglars struck at the property in Manchester Road, Burnden, just after 1am with owner Anthony Grime being awoken by the burglar alarm. The 31-year-old woke to see two people driving away with his £28,000 Audi S1.

Mr Grime said: “The house alarm went off at 1.05am I jumped out of bed, looked out of the front window and saw two people jumping into the car and speeding off. They were in and out in less than 20 seconds.

“They came in through the back door using a locksmith tool to rip the lock barrel out and the lock on the door was a security lock certified to all the latest and greatest standards. They didn’t take anything else. They left my wife’s car keys and her bag. and did not take anything else.”

He is now urging anyone who has seen the ‘distinctive car or has information to contact police in a desperate bid to get his car back.

Mr Grime said: “I am glad the car keys were downstairs and that they did not come upstairs. My wife and I are both okay and that is the main thing. I bought the car last July and like taking it to car shows. It’s my pride and joy. The Audi S1 is quite rare. There are only around 700 in the country.”

He added: “I will get the insurance but you never get what the car is worth so it will cost me a few thousands pounds.”

Police attended the property to take details shortly after.

Mr Grime said: “The police are looking out for it and it may be picked up on ANPR cameras.”

He said the doors and windows on his house have the latest security locks and the keys are not kept by the front door, which police say makes it easy for thieves to steal. He added: "There is nothing else we can do other than put bars on the windows and doors.”

A police spokesman said anyone with information should ring 101 quoting incident number 98-15/09/17