MEMBERS of Cumbrian band The Lucid Dream are "in bits" after thieves ransacked their van leaving them "with nothing".

Some of the equipment taken are pieces that the Carlisle musicians have had since they were 14 years old.

The theft has forced the indie four-piece to cancel gigs in Amsterdam tonight and tomorrow in Brussels.

The Lucid Dream are frontman and guitarist Mark Emmerson, guitarist and keyboardist Wayne Jefferson, bassist Mike Denton, and drummer Luke Anderson.

Posting on the social media site Twitter earlier today, the band said: "Our van was broken into in Paris through the night. Every last piece of equipment was stolen.

"We are sorry for those travelling from Britain for the shows but we have nothing. We are in bits and what you see in this picture from last night may be the last you see of us.

"We've lost equipment we've had since 14 years old. For us it is irreplaceable."

French police have been informed.

The statement added: "Anyone who knows us knows we are a hard-working, grounded band, who self-finance everything."

They also said the thieves should be ashamed of their actions, adding that it was "the worst day in 19 years of playing in groups together".

The band has been making its mark on the music scene over the last nine years, including a major UK and European tour in 2015 and 2016.

A key date this year is the band's biggest headline show to date, when The Lucid Dream is due to play The Deaf Institute in Manchester on May 13.