A world-record holder in boomerang throwing has had his prize collection stolen from his home.

Top British competitor Lawrence West says the collection was taken from his flat in the Clarendon Park area of Leicester on Tuesday.

"I was decorating my bedroom and left the window open and I think that during the night someone climbed in and stole them," Mr West said.

The 75 boomerangs are described as lightweight, brightly coloured and a little bit scruffy.

Suspicious sightings

"They are of no use to anyone else and I really want them back," he said.

Mr West's two world records are the fastest indoor cardboard boomerang throw and the shortest time for making, thowing and catching a boomerang.

It took him 1 min 11 secs to set the latter record.

"I have been building up the collection over 20 years making them, swapping them and buying them from all over the world," he said.

A notice on the British Boomerang Society website says the theft puts Mr West's boomerang world cups hopes in jeoprady.

The website adds: "Please help by sending him some boomerangs or any information if you see any boomerangs being thrown suspiciously in the Leicester area."

Mr West also had a warning for whoever stole his boomerangs: "These are specialist competition boomerang and if given to a child, they could be dangerous."