ALMOST 500 cans of Coca Cola were stolen from a lorry parked up on the A66.

The HGV, with curtain sides, was parked in a layby close to the Bowes Moor Hotel when thieves struck between10pm on Wednesday and 6.30am today.

Police said raiders slashed the curtains and took 20 cases each containing 24 330ml cans of Coca Cola, which were part of a load being taken to a company warehouse in East Kilbride.

Anyone who saw the theft take place, anyone offered the cola for sale or anyone with information should call 101 and ask for Barnard Castle Police, quoting reference number DHM 20092012.