FUEL and tools worth thousands of pounds have been stolen from a farm in Teesdale, County Durham.

Among the haul was 700 litres of diesel, three chainsaws and a specialist piece of equipment used for shearing sheep.

The daylight raid was carried out at Bowfield Farm, Boldron, near Barnard Castle, between 9.30am and 2.30pm on Tuesday, June 4.

Sgt Simon Rogers, of Barnard Castle Police said the thieves had stolen the diesel, worth £490, from a tank in a courtyard concealed by outbuildings.

They then went into an unlocked tool shed.

The haul included three Stihl chainsaws, worth a total of £1,050; a Milwaukee angle grinder (£150); a red Milwaukee cordless drill (£370) and a laser level with plastic cover, used for surveying, worth £500.

The thieves then took a Lister sheep shearing unit worth between £800 and £1,000.

Sgt Rogers said: “The shearing unit is a specialised piece of equipment.

“It had been secured to the wall in one of the outbuildings with the pipe attached and hooked up and the shearing head attached.

“The unit was reconditioned just last year and was painted pearl blue.”

Auction marts in the region have been informed of the theft and police will be looking out for the items when visiting agricultural premises, outbuildings and machinery and farm sales.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact DC Hannah Wilson or DC Michael Smith at the Crook Serious Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101.