STAR steeplejack Fred Dibnah is fuming after thieves snatched a valued piece of machinery from under his nose.

Bolton's demolition demon says he was stunned to discover that a compressor, which he uses as he topples chimneys, had vanished from under the front bedroom window of his house.

Fred - who recently tied the knot with his third wife, Sheila - believes the cheeky thieves must have towed away the mobile compressor in broad daylight on Sunday.

He has reported the theft to Bolton Police and yesterday branded the thieves as "dim wits".

Desperate

Fred, of Radcliffe Road, Tonge Fold, said: "There must be some desperate people in Bolton for them to have to do this. That compressor is ancient and they couldn't have been sure that it would even work."

The blue and white Broom and Wade compressor, which was made in 1963, is used by Fred to power jack-hammers and drills when he demolishes chimney stacks.

Now he is offering a £20 reward to anyone who can help track down the missing machine.

Anyone with any information about Fred's stolen compressor should contact Bolton 361276.

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