POLICE have appealed for information after a Dutch HGV driver awoke to find five men stealing items out the back of his lorry.

The motorist had stopped at the Rising Bridge Service Station, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, at 5am on Thursday for a short break.

While he slept, five men used a lever to pull open the Gelders Express vehicle and steal 16 cardboard boxes with computer related equipment.

The five men, made off in a 7.5 tonne Leyland Daff box van in the direction of Baxenden. Anyone with information can call Rossendale police on 01706 237481.