TWO boys have been left devastated after competitive go-karts for which their dad had saved up for months were taken from a lock-up.

Electrician Liam Bailey had saved up thousands of pounds to buy three go-karts in order for his two boys, Ollie and Ben, to drive in races.

But he was forced to give them the terrible news that they had been taken, along with kit and engine parts, when thieves broke into lock-up garages in Hordle.

Liam, 27, from Barton-on-Sea said: “They’re absolutely heart-broken.

“When I went down to the lock up and found out it had all gone I felt sick, I literally did feel sick. My heart just dropped to the bottom of my stomach.”

Describing his boys as “petrolheads” he said they were devastated but he also felt angry after devoting so much time to helping them get out on to the track.

He added: “They absolutely love it.

“We’ve been doing it now for just over 12 months in which I’ve been putting a lot of hard work into buying the all our equipment and untold hours into maintaining the karts.”

Ollie, seven, was due to be taking a licence in order to race at a competitive level.

“He was supposed to be taking he first professional race next season,” said Liam.

The equipment stolen cost Liam about £5,000 in all, and was taken on August 26, but he said that while other lock-ups at Vaggs Lane were broken into, only his had stuff stolen.

“I think they were just after high-value equipment, anything petrol-powered,” he said.

The three karts taken included a black Zip Lightening with graphics by sponsors Yess electrical suppliers with an engine “worth thousands” inside.

The other two were a Zip Storm and a Zip Top-Kart Bambino, which were both worth more than £1,000. He is appealing for anyone who has information about them to come forward.

Police are investigating.