THIEVES have stolen thousands of pounds worth of girders from a building site.

A police spokesman said 240 one-metre stainless steel girders worth more than £29,000 were stolen from a construction site behind Newcastle Crown Court on the Quayside.

The theft happened between Friday evening and yesterday morning.

The spokesman said: "The girders had been specially made to be used in the construction of a car park, shopping complex and hotel extension.

"Because they could not be used in any other building project, we believe the thieves will try to sell the girders to scrap metal dealers.

"A reasonable sized vehicle would have been needed to take them away from the site."

Anyone with information has been asked to call 0191-214 6555 ext 62149.