MEAN thieves dealt a blow to the Olympic dreams of top disabled runner Mark Brown when they broke into his car and stole his athletics gear.

Arm-amputee Mark, 33, now faces a race against time to find his running shoes before the Atlanta Paralympics in July.

Mark, of Salus Street, Burnley, has set the fastest British times for 5,000 metres and the marathon in his class, and is hoping to be named when the Paralympic team is announced on June 1.

He told the Citizen: "All the gear was donated by sponsors, and foolishly I left it in a holdall in the car. The Adidas shoes are worth £90 and were bought specifically for the paralympics.

"Although I am insured, it is hardly worth claiming, because the insurers only pay £100 of the £300 it will cost to replace everything, and the premium will be £75 higher next time.

"If anyone wants to leave the stuff on my doorstep or ring me to arrange to give it back, I will not press charges."

Mark, who works as a nurse at Calderstones Hospital, lost his arm in a road accident while serving in the army several years ago.

Among the stolen items were an Australian Institute of Sport T-shirt, which Mark received when he trained in Australia, and a pair of Asics road shoes.

He said: "At the moment my mood is one of despondency, mainly because the stolen items were paid for by my sponsors - Calderstones, Clayton Harriers and Blackburn Harriers."

He added: "My times in the 5,000 metres and marathon bode well for my chances of being selected. I've done all I can and I'm just hoping I will be picked, and if I am it will be difficult to replace the equipment that was stolen."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.