DETECTIVES are hunting raiders who broke into Burnley General Hospital and made off with computer equipment worth £25,000.

Police say they scaled a stone wall to climb onto the roof of a warehouse storing the computers.

The incident happened sometime between Friday and Monday morning in the Casterton Avenue hospital grounds.

Detective Sergeant Derek Jones said: "They used a ladder they had brought with them and broke the glass in the sky-light window and entered through it.

"The raiders stole a large quantity of computer equipment estimated to be worth around £25,000."

Thieves made off with 20 Compac computer systems, including printers, monitors, scanners and key boards. It is thought the warehouse did have an alarm, although it failed to activate.

A spokesman for Burnley General Hospital said: "We will be investigating what happened."

Det Sgt Jones added: "We are making various inquiries but are keen to speak to any witnesses. We would also ask people to keep an eye out for these computers which may be offered to people in the area.

"If anybody is offered any of this computer equipment then we would ask them to contact us and they will be eligible for a reward, should we recover the items."

Anybody with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.