ALMOST two tons of copper wire was stolen from a factory in Lower Eccleshill Road, Darwen.

Two men broke into Wolstenholme International Ltd, which manufactures metallic pigments, at 7.45pm on January 15 and used the company's fork lift truck to steal 1.7 tons of copper wire worth £3,000.

They loaded the wire into a green Vauxhall Frontera and drove off.

The two men were both white and the driver was bald and stocky, wearing a black top.

The passenger was white, about 18-years-old and short.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in the area to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or to call police on 0845 1253545.