The hopes a Melton Ross man had to restore a historic rally car have been dashed after thieves stole a rare engine.

John Wood recently bought the engine of a Lotus Sunbeam, only for it to be stolen just a few days later along with a number of tools. And this was the fifth time in six months that his property on Melton High Wood has been targeted by thieves.

Mr Wood had been intending to restore the car to rally again after a 20-year break.

He said: "I went down to the garage on Saturday, January 21, but it had been stolen by the time I went back down on the morning of Sunday.

"This is such a vintage item and it is very rare that one becomes available."

John said that only 15-20 of these engines are available in the world and the engine being stolen had put his project in jeopardy.

Call Humberside Police on 101 with any information quoting crime reference 1886584.