MONTHS of study by NVQ students looks set to be ruined, after thieves stole a bag containing their course work.

Linda Whelan, an NVQ training officer for Premier Homes, has appealed for the return of the folders, which belonging to students studying for their Care NVQs. She had collected the work ready to mark and left it in her car outside her home on Surrey Place, Willington. But when she returned to her vehicle the next morning, she found thieves had broken in.

Ms Whelan said: "I just couldn't believe it. They could have taken my radio or anything, but they just stole the bag with the NVQ work in it. Even my own NVQ folder has gone. I spent about three months on mine, but some of the other girls have spent a lot longer. The carers worked really, really hard. Once the thieves look into the bag and find out what it is they'll drop it."

If anyone knows the whereabouts of the large, black leather bag, which was stolen on Thursday night, they should contact Crook Police on (01388) 762011.