CALLOUS thieves have struck repeatedly at a nature reserve for wheelchair users.
But defiant owner Steve Sellars today promised to carry on - despite the setbacks.
Concrete paving flags are the latest items to go from his Birdsedge site.
Material snatched in a long catalogue of thefts includes:
* Containered trees and shrubs, polytunnel frames, bags of sand and a steel beam, total value £8,000
* Two Norway spruce trees that were dug up at Christmas
* Stone worth £50
* A four-metre roll of weed-suppressant matting.
Mr Sellars said: "Someone seems to be watching me, because as soon as I put something down it disappears in days."
The ambitious project, on land off Birdsedge Lane, will eventually have a 900yd path, fishing lakes and possibly even stables with facilities for the disabled.
The first quarter of the path was opened last November.
Mr Sellars said he decided to give disabled people access to nature after he realised there was nowhere he could take his father.
Trees planted at the site are growing nicely and the area is attracting a large amount of wildlife - including 11 species of butterfly, counted in a recent survey.
Businesses have given materials to make Mr Sellars's dream come true and Kirklees Council has given grants.
Mr Sellars said: "Unfortunately, not everyone is so kind-hearted and I have suffered from a long catalogue of thefts.
"As a result of previous thefts I sprayed my postcode, HD9 2LA, on to the back of the concrete slabs that have just been stolen.
"If someone spots them and reports them we might find the culprits are guilty of taking all the other stuff."
Police are appealing for information.
Phone Pc Matt Bell on 01924 375222 or 01924 294662 (voicemail).
