THIEVES have stolen £2,500 of music equipment.

Anita Ward, 31, from Northallerton, who runs the Midnight Express karaoke service, said her business had been ruined by the theft.

She had loaned the equipment to a friend for an engagement party, in Prospect Road, Northallerton, on February 21.

A large wallet containing all her compact discs went missing at some point after midnight.

Miss Ward set up the business a year ago with the help of the Prince's Trust, after her husband died and used the income to support her two children. "My livelihood has been ruined," she said. "If they are not returned then I am out of business."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire police said officers were looking into the theft