A FARMING couple have been left without off-road transport after their Land Rover was stolen in Darlington.

James and Louise Rowlandson, who farm near Barnard Castle, were returning from a shopping trip on Wednesday when they saw their Land Rover Defender being stolen in Beechwood Avenue, off Coniscliffe Road, at 3pm.

A man got in and drove off, even though the vehicle had an immobiliser and alarm.

The couple also have a small car, but say that the theft of the Land Rover has caused chaos for their daily routine.

"Just as we were heading towards our car, we saw a guy running towards it. He then drove off in it at high speed. My husband ran towards the car and was going to fling himself on it. But, thank goodness, he didn't," she said.

"There were Mercedes and BMWs parked nearby, so I can't quite understand why it was targeted," she said.

The blue Land Rover Defender's registration number is R997 XAG.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01325) 467681