AN agricultural vehicle worth thousands of pounds has been stolen in a late night raid on a farm.

The yellow JCB was stolen from a farm in the Tanton area of Stokesley, sometime between 7pm on Sunday and 8am today.

It is thought that the thieves broke the lock off a secure gate before stealing the vehicle, worth £30,000, and driving away in the direction of Hebron Road.

Police have been making house to house enquires in the area and are appealing to anyone with information about the theft to come forward.

PC Wayne Whitfield, of Stokesley safer neighbourhood team, said: “This theft has come as a great inconvenience to the owner who is anxious to have his property returned.

“I am appealing to people in the area to get in touch if they saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the incident. It is unusual for farm plant machinery to be driven around at the dead of night, so if you heard anything out of the ordinary please contact us.

“I am also appealing to anyone who thinks this vehicle has been offered to them for sale or knows where it is being stored to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Whitfield on 0845-60-60-247, quoting reference number 12110154950.