BISHOP Auckland Police are appealing for information after a Mercedes Box horsevan worth £7,500 was stolen from a grassed area opposite the rear of St Cuthbert's Avenue, High Etherley, sometime between Sunday, July 3 and Friday, July 8. The van is described as lilac with a blue and red stripe on the side and the words 'sponsored by vetsearch'. Also inside the vehicle were various items of horse-related equipment including clothing, saddles and rugs. "This has caused a lot of inconvenience and upset for the family involved as they had a number of horse shows coming up," said PC Ashleigh Canvin. Anyone with any information should contact PC Canvin at Bishop Auckland police station via 101, the incident number is 0285 of 8th July.