HORSE saddles worth more than £5,000 have been stolen from a Rimington stable building.

Police have now issued a warning fearing the equipment could turn up at a forthcoming equestrian sale.

The saddles, in adult and children's sizes, and either black or brown leather, were taken from Martin Top Farm.

The thefts were discovered on Thursday, April 22, and are believed to have taken place the night before.

Sgt Bob Eaton, of Clitheroe Police, said: "The offenders left their vehicle and walked quarter of a mile to the stable. When they got to the building, they prized some wooden boards apart and got inside to steal the saddles."

A black leather adult show saddle, worth £670, was taken, plus three other similar saddles valued at £2,000 - a child's show saddle worth £600, an adult's black leather saddle, worth almost £800, and a child's brown leather show saddle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clitheroe police on 01200 458705.