A FARMER who reported his tractor stolen from his property has appealed for help in finding the missing machine.

A CASE International Tractor, carrying the registration number N294 KWX, vanished from a farm in Heighington, near Darlington, during the night of Wednesday, August 17, and into the early hours of Thursday, August 18.

The tractor, which is believed to have been driven away across nearby farmland in the direction of Bishop Auckland, via the A68, has distinctive features, including a McHale bale handler attached to the vehicle.

The tractor’s front nearside wheel hub has been painted black and the front offside wheel hub is red.

Annette Metcalfe, a Durham Police partnerships liaison officer, said: “We'd like to remind members in our farming communities about the importance of remaining vigilant.

“If you have any information which may help us with our enquiries into this crime, please contact us on our non-emergency number, 101.”