PHOTOGRAPHER Tim Nightingale alerted police when he saw two men breaking into a building site and earned himself a £1,000 reward. The Chatteris site had been targeted repeatedly by thieves and the reward was offered by Ely-based property company Freshwate

PHOTOGRAPHER Tim Nightingale alerted police when he saw two men breaking into a building site and earned himself a £1,000 reward.

The Chatteris site had been targeted repeatedly by thieves and the reward was offered by Ely-based property company Freshwater Estates.

At Wisbech Magistrates' Court, Mark Cave and John Bays were found guilty of attempted theft of an £8,000 generator.

Bays was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, while Cave was given 120 hours. They were both ordered to pay costs of £455.

Mr Nightingale, right, of Station Street, said: "Picking up a cheque for £1,000 is not something you do every day, not just for looking out the bedroom window, anyway.

"The money made absolutely no difference to the decision to call the police. I would have made the call without the reward."

Mr Nightingale's photography business is based in Dartford Road, March.