Thieves have taken a large amount of timber from a builders' merchants.

The gang struck at Jewsons, in Consett, County Durham, on Thursday, some time after 6.30pm.

They stole 30 12ft pieces of the five-by-two-inch timber.

A police spokesman said they made a hole in the yard's perimeter fence and took the timber off a racking system, loading it on to a vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Consett police, on (01207) 504204.