DETECTIVES were last night hunting thieves who raided a clothing shop and stole up to £30,000 worth of stock.

Staff at Geoffrey Gillow, in Darlington, returned to work yesterday to find exclusive clothing and accessories were missing.

The ladies' fashion department was cleared out, and other areas badly affected, in what police believe was a carefully planned raid.

The thieves broke into the building, in Grange Road, via a first-floor window.

It is thought the alarm was triggered when they tried to access the ground floor.

Trousers, leather jackets, handbags, scarves, shirts and other expensive items were taken in the raid, which took place between 4.30pm on New Year's Eve and 9am yesterday.

Brands included Brax, Sand, New Man, Hide Park, John Smedley, Shirley Pinder and Liz Cox.

Police are hoping to raise public awareness of the incident, ahead of car boot sales and busy times for pubs this weekend, where goods could be sold.

Detective Constable Danny Townsend, of Darlington police, said: "We are talking about clothing with a retail value of between £20,000 and £30,000.

"It is expensive stuff and I do not think there are any other shops in the region which have it.

"If it were to crop up at pubs or car boot sales, it should be recognisable."

Owner Geoffrey Gillow said: "It's such a cruel way to start the new year, we are devastated really.

"I have been desperately trying to ring round suppliers to get spring stock in early.

"It is pretty devastating in an immediate sense because now is when we are supposed to be really busy."

He said police forensics experts, who visited the shop yesterday, suggested it was a professional raid.

Anyone with information is asked to call Darlington police on (01325) 467681.