A COMPUTER firm had a van containing £5,000 worth of equipment stolen just minutes before it was due to be delivered to a local school.

A thief broke into the rented vehicle while the Complex Computers driver was away for less than two minutes, collecting paperwork from the firm's shop unit in Waterfoot.

He broke the steering lock while the van was parked on the road close to the Railway pub before driving off in front of shocked staff.

Now management from the firm are offering a £300 reward for information leading to the recovery of the property.

The haul included 23 Super VGA computer monitors as well as systems and software.

It was on its way to Gawthorpe High School in Padiham when the thief struck ,

The company faces the prospect of replacing the school's order if it is not recovered.

The blue Ford Transit van, registration number F731 TFV, was rented from Rossendale firm J and A Taylor.

Complex Computers manager Mike Stanworth said: "The van had just been loaded and the driver locked it before leaving it for about 90 seconds.

"We think the culprit was hanging around for over two hours so it was an opportunist theft.

"Most of the goods were security coded and Gawthorpe school is obviously having to do without its computers until we can get replacements."

Police in Bacup are investigating the theft and are looking for a man in his 20s with dark hair, wearing a brown leather jacket and purple jogging bottoms with white stripes down the sides.

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