LEISURE bosses were left counting the cost after thieves got away with a haul of computer equipment worth around £30,000.

Thieves broke in through the front door of Rossendale's Tourist Information Centre in Kay Street, Rawtenstall, and raided the building, which is shared with Rossendale Leisure Trust.

Today police issued an appeal for anybody with information to contact them.

Crime prevention officer Sally Atkinson said: "We are appealing for witnesses after the culprits broke in through the front door of the tourist information centre.

"A large amount of computer equipment worth £29,000, including servers, was stolen.

"We are appealing to anyone who say anything to contact us."

The incident happened on Monday, January 30, between 7.30pm and 8pm. Police have only just released details of the incident.

Gary Hood, executive director of Rossendale Leisure Trust, said: "Fortunately, we have an excellent IT manager who worked throughout the night to get us back up and running.

"It did cause us some problems as it wiped out some bookings. We thank our customers for bearing with us as it did cause some incon-venience but we are now back up and running."

He added: "We just hope anybody who saw anything and was in the area around the time it happened to contact police with information so they can catch the culprits."

Contact Rossendale's targeting team on 01706 237464 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.