POLICE are warning that drugs stolen from a doctor's car are dangerous.

The silver-coloured case of controlled drugs was taken from the boot of an on-call doctor's car, parked next to the Derwent Walk Inn, Ebchester Bank, near Consett.

The theft took place between 7.45pm and midnight on Saturday.

A police spokesman said: "The case contained a variety of controlled drugs, including ampoules of the Class A drugs pethidine and cyclomorph, which can prove extremely harmful if taken."

Anyone with information is asked to ring Consett police, on (01207) 504204.

Meanwhile, officials at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, are still investigating the disappearance of potentially lethal drugs from the maternity ward.

The drugs, strong muscle relaxants, were prepared for an operation that did not take place and are "unaccounted for''.