GARDENING equipment worth more than £1,000 has been stolen from a van while the owner carried out work just yards away.

Two brush cutters, or strimmers, worth £405 each, and a £220 leaf blower, were taken from the white van in Rogersfield, Langho, when the offenders pulled up alongside the vehicle and opened the sliding doors.

Two men were seen in a white Transit van, with orange stripes, acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the theft, at 2.30pm on Tuesday.

The two men were also seen looking into a garage at a house in Sunnyside Avenue, Wilpshire, at 1pm on the same day.

One of the men is described as white, in his 20s, wearing dark blue tracksuit bottoms with white stripes and a high visibility jacket, with “Gas” written on the back.

Sgt Conrad Tapp, of Clitheroe police, said: “We are keen to identify the people responsible for such an act of theft.

“We would urge residents in the Ribble Valley to remain vigilant, ensure that vehicles are locked at all times and that no items of value are left in the vehicle or on open view.”

If anyone has any about this incident they are asked to call police on 01254 51212, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.