A LANCASTER man who returned home to discover a scene of utter devastation after thieves went on a wrecking spree in his flat has put up a £250 reward for information leading to their arrest.

The shocked local man, who has decided to leave Lancaster following the traumatic incident, is still coming to terms with the fact that thieves broke into his Lancaster bedsit flat in Regent Street and damaged nearly every single one of his possessions.

They smashed his stereo, his games console, framed photographs, remote controls, they damaged a pewter bottle opener, unplugged the freezer and poured 30 pints of home-brew over all his clothes and CD collection.

They even unscrewed lightbulbs from their sockets and smashed them against the walls.

Police are baffled as to why the thieves did so much damage and only stole a laptop computer and money from the electric meter.

The man, who has only been living in the city for one year, says he hopes the reward will help bring the perpetrators to justice.

"I can't understand the mentality of people who would do this," said the man, who has only lived in the city for just over a year.

"They wrecked everything, all my possessions even things like a pewter bottle opener which had a sentimental value. The police said it was the worst case of ransacking they had seen. I keep myself to myself, there's no one I know with a grudge against me, but this seems so vindictive and personal.

"They went to great lengths and spent a lot of time doing as much damage as they could. When I got back home I was just left shocked for a couple of days. Then it sunk in and I got very angry and bitter towards them. I hope the people who did this are caught and go to prison."

The thieves broke into the bedsit at 45 Regent Street on either Friday, October 26, or Saturday, October 27.

They broke in by smashing a rear window and police believe they must have been in the flat for sometime.

If you have any information about this incident call the police on 63333.