FIVE mountain bikes stolen in separate thefts in the Lake District within eight days could be linked, police believe.

Four were taken from the back of a Mercedez Benz van at Grizedale Visitor Centre car park on Saturday (November 24) between 12.30pm and 2pm.

Officers said the bikes were securely locked to the van and that it would have taken some time to remove them.

The previous Saturday - November 17 - a mountain bike was stolen from a vehicle parked at Rydal, Ambleside.

A ‘suspicious white van’ was seen in the area around the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumbria Police on 101.