A HORSE trailer that was stolen last week has been returned to its owner, thanks to identification marks on it.

Police last week urged owners of horse boxes to take precautions following the theft in Ferryhill, the sixth similar offence in about a year in Sedgefield borough.

The burgundy Ifor Williams trailer was stolen from the Merrington Lane allotments, in Ferryhill, just over a week ago.

It was found undamaged in McCullagh Gardens, Bishop Auckland, early last week, attached to a Land Rover Discovery that was carrying false number plates.

Numbers marked on the trailer, worth about £4,000, matched details given by the victim, enabling police to reunite her with the stolen property.

A spokesman for Durham Police, who said there had been an increase in thefts of all types of trailers, said that the successful outcome demonstrated the value of marking vehicles with identifying numbers.

He said: "This underlines the point we made about being able to reunite stolen property with the rightful owner where there are clear identification details."

Police also recommend securing trailers with sturdy locks.