POLICE are appealing for information following a burglary in which £40,000 worth of cigarettes was stolen.

The incident took place during the early hours of Friday morning at the Bells Stores warehouse on Skelton Industrial Estate, east Cleveland.

A burnt-out Ford Transit van, registration E815 YCX, was found to the rear of the building, and Cleveland Police believe it is linked to the raid.

A spokesman said: "Anyone who knows who the van belongs to, or has been offered cigarettes for sale, is asked to contact DC Dave Pettrick at Redcar CID on (01642) 302641."