PORTS were put on alert today after two tractors worth £70,000 were stolen from from isolated premises in the Ribble Valley.

The tractors were taken from plant hire firm FG Rowland Ltd, Flatts Farm, Rabbit Lane, Bashall Eaves, near Clitheroe.

And today proprietor Frank Rowland said he was amazed at the thieves' audacity.

Police believe the top-of-the-range tractors could be bound for Southern Ireland and have put Heysham and Liverpool ports on alert. They want to question the driver of a D-registered white Nissan Micra spotted near the scene.

Stolen was a £40,000 John Deere tractor with a green body and yellow wheels, model number 6800, serial number 193206 and registration number R797 GHG.

The second machine, a red and grey Massey Ferguson, has the serial number F11560 and registration number R861 KFV.

It was fitted with a blue Tanco front loader and is worth about £29,000. A police spokesman said the theft probably took place about 4am yesterday.

Mr Rowland said his firm was about a mile off the beaten track and the thieves had taken a "real risk" as staff regularly started work early.

"There has always been a market for stolen tractors, but these two are virtually brand new and built to a particularly high specification. They will be difficult to hide," he said.

Anyone with information should contact DC Alan Procter on 01200 443344.

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