OWNERS of a fish farm in north Lancashire were left reeling after thieves made off with thousands of pounds of fishing equipment and personal items.

Lesley Bratby, co-owner of the Tewitfield Trout Fishery, near Carnforth, estimated at least £3,000 worth of goods had been taken following the raid last Friday night, with the total figure possibly pushing £5,000.

Items taken included seven Mac Martin fly rods, lines, reels, and around 400 hand-made individual flies, as well as a Honda generator, and power tools including a strimmer, drill and jigsaw.

The thieves also took a box, which customers used to make small donations for refreshments, which Mr Bratby said could not have contained more than about £3 cash.

Despite the raid, the trout farm is still open for business.