A steelworks which is fighting its way back after closure has been devastated by the theft of more than £100,000 of metal.

Thieves broke into Weardale Steel, Wolsingham, County Durham, on Wednesday night and made off with raw material and completed products which they loaded onto one of the company's trucks.

Among the haul were seven ship's anchors, part of an order for the Ministry of Defence worth £15,000 each, and chrome, nickel and silicon nuggets.

The items, which weighed up to a tonne each, were loaded onto a dark red Ford Cargo lorry which was seen leaving the compound at around 11pm.

Les Graham, director of the 140-year-old plant, which he saved after it went into administration in late 2002 following a disastrous take-over, said the theft was a major blow for the firm.

He said: "It has disrupted our melting programme and if the anchors are not retrieved it could affect relationship with the MoD, with whom we have a good contract.

"The loss of our only flat back vehicle, which is used daily for collecting materials and deliveries is also is a big loss." Police are appealing for motorists in the area who might have passed the vehicle to get in touch. Its registration is B932 PDC and has so far not been traced.

There is also an appeal for any information on a white estate car, seen in the area of the steelworks between 8pm and 9pm.

Det Sgt Dunny McCubbin said: "To state the obvious, this was not an opportunist crime.

"It has clearly been planned in advance and well executed, but at the moment we don't know how many were involved in the operation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Karl Hopps on (01388) 603566 or Crimstoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.