THIEVES stole more than £4,000 from a country hotel at the weekend after unlocking an office door and opening the safe.

They entered and left the Jersey Farm, a 20-bedroom hotel on the outskirts of Barnard Castle, on Sunday without being disturbed. It is believed the theft took place in the early hours. Police called when the safe was checked at the start of the working day. Ten of the 20 bedrooms were occupied at the time of the theft, but no-one reported hearing anything untoward during the night.

Detectives investigating the incident found a number of fingerprints which are being checked against records. Some staff were also fingerprinted as a method of elimination.

Hotelier Mark Watson explained that the front door was unlocked because of fire regulations. He did not want to speak about how the intruders got into the office or managed to open the safe. It contained more than £4,000, but the exact amount could not be verified until accounts were checked.

A police spokesman said: "The intruders were able to walk into the reception area as a door was unlocked. They then got into the office. Once inside they opened a safe and took all the money, but at this stage it might harm inquiries if we say how they were able to open the safe."

Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious at the hotel, or who knows anything about the theft, to call DC Eamon Clarke on 01833 637328