AN AUSTRALIAN couple rode 19,000 miles around the world over five and a half months, sometimes sleeping in the same room as their motorbike to protect it.

And they were less than 200 miles from the finish line yesterday.

But when the couple stopped for a bite to eat at Magor Services, their BMW F650 motorcycle was stolen.

Ralph Dixon, 42, and Fionnuala Livingston, 40, had been riding through South Wales and were due to finish their epic charity trip in London today.

They had sold their home, then travelled through Asia and Africa, taking in India, Iraq and Pakistan, to raise money and awareness of multiple sclerosis.

Today, they were due to attend a special reception by the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

But the couple, who are both from Sydney, had their white BMW motorbike, registration AUS00, stolen as they stopped for a break at the services on the M4 between 12.30pm and 1.30pm yesterday afternoon.

And last night they were forced to complete the final leg of their journey from Wales to London by train.

Mr Dixon, who has suffered from MS himself for the past two years, told the Argus: "We had been so careful with the bike in some countries it would sometimes come into our hotel rooms.

"The people of Wales were so friendly and welcoming, I guess it just disarmed me. The police told me that it was an opportunist crime and the thieves could have come from anywhere, so I don't have any bad feelings about Wales.

"We've been left with nothing apart from our wallets and passports. We're still dressed in our biking gear because it's all we have left now, and it's gut-wrenching.

"I'm resigned to never seeing the bike again, but I would urge whoever did this to return our belongings, including the CDs, which contained all our photographs from around the world."

David Harrison, from the Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: "It is astonishing and quite dreadful that they have travelled all over the world and been through some uninviting territories to have their bike stolen just 24 hours before their journey was completed."

Sergeant Ceri Lloyd, of Gwent Police, said: "The bike had an aboriginal design on the front, and if anyone has any information I would ask them to call Gwent Police on 01633 838999."