POLICE are hunting thieves who plundered rock stars Wheatus' tour bus in Stratton.

While the band, famed for their Teenage Dirtbag hit, rocked the Area 51 nightclub, thieves sneaked on to the bus and stole their laptop.

The computer belonged to back-up vocalist Liz Brown who has posted a message on the group's website pleading for its return.

She said: "At the Swindon show at Area 51, my laptop was stolen off of our tour bus. The Swindon police have been notified and we are waiting to hear back regarding CCTV surveillance.

"Please if anyone has any information, let us know, we'd greatly appreciate your help."

However, Liz has not let it taint her memories of the May 29 gig.

"It was still an awesome show, by the way," she said.

Police say the theft happened between 10pm and 3am.

Area 51 manager Ken Brand said he had no idea how anyone could have got on the tour bus, parked behind the club.

"Their laptop was stolen but it wasn't stolen on the premises as it was on their bus," Mr Brand said. "As far as I know the bus was never left unattended. I don't know what happened.

"Access to the bus wasn't that easy as while they were on stage the driver was there.

"If it is a personal computer with a lot of stuff on it, I can see why they would get frustrated."

Upper Stratton community beat manager Stephen Fletcher said: "This incident relates to the theft of a laptop to the value of £700 from a tour bus. The band had been attending Area 51.

"At this time the offender is unknown."

Teenage musician Nathan Gregory originally invited Wheatus to play at Wootton Bassett, but as demand grew for tickets, he opted for the Hobley Drive venue instead.

The audience of mostly teenagers were enthralled with lead vocalist's Brendan Brown's showmanship. He had a few comments to make about his initial impression of Swindon.

He said: "Every day you get out of the tour bus and you wonder where am I? Today I was like I am in Swindon and there is an industrial estate across the road'."