A NURSERY has been targeted in an unusual break-in.

Eight trees, worth £5,000, have been stolen from Wilkinson Landscapes, at East Brocks Farm, near Eaglescliffe.

Two of the trees taken were cloud trees, each worth about £1,500.

Twigs were broken off one of the cloud trees as it was manhandled off the site, at Urlay Nook, and the damage should be obvious, the owners said yesterday.

One of the nursery's trolleys was hijacked by the thieves to carry their haul away.

The raiders used bolt cutters to open a metal gate before smashing through a wooden fence into a trees and plant enclosure.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Lois Blackburn, at Stockton Police, on 01642-302226.