BIKERS in Swindon are being warned to be on their guard as thieves warm up for the winter.

According to motorcycle insurance specialists Carole Nash, motorbikes are at as much risk of theft during the winter as they are in the summer.

Figures show that nearly half of all bike thefts happen between November and April.

Chief instructor at Abbey Rider Training in Blunsdon, Steve Foster, said if bikes were off the road at winter it was often the case of 'out of sight out of mind'.

"If you put your bike in the garage and never look in there you won't know it's gone, " he said.

"It is just as likely to happen in the winter. Make sure you check it regularly otherwise you will have no idea when it went."

He said bike insurance was expensive and many riders only insured their machines for when they were using them.

"It's worth making sure it's insured at other times too, at least for theft," said Steve. "It's common sense really."

Research also revealed that the Honda CBR600, Yamaha's YZF600 and Gilera's Runner 125 were models most likely to be stolen.