BURGLARS cut a telephone line to disable an alarm and CCTV system to break into a Burnley warehouse, police revealed.

Today police chiefs urged witnesses to come forward after raiders stole thousands of pounds worth of plasma TVs and designer clothing from Buyers OK based at Enterprise House in Billington Road.

The owners of the new internet-based company have been left counting the cost after two Leyland Daf wagons stolen from Cunliffe Close, Blackburn, were used in the raid which happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The raiders cut the telephone wire and disabled the alarm and CCTV system before removing a security tape.

They gained entry to the warehouse by forcing open a door before unlocking a safe filled with high-value jewellery.

The gang then made a search of every office before loading a pallet of expensive Plasma TVs and Prada and Versace designer clothing into one of the 7.5 tonne wagons.

Philip Drew, operations director of Buyers Ok, today said: "We are a new internet retail organisation which was only set up in November so this is the last thing we need.

"When the telephone line was cut the alarm company was notified.

"The keyholder came out and checked the site but didn't notice anything. It seems they then came back and forced their way in through a back door.

"The police have taken away what CCTV footage we had but we don't know what was tampered with. We are still working out exactly what has been stolen and the value. Various electrical items such as DVD players, camcorders, Plasma TVs and designer clothing was stolen. We would ask anyone who saw anything to get in contact with police."

Insp Damien Darcy said: "The thieves left one of the wagons at the scene and made off in the other which had both been stolen earlier from Blackburn. The alarm didn't go off because it had been disabled.

"We are not sure at this stage about exactly what has been stolen but it is believed to be of high value and worth thousands of pounds.

"We are urging any witnesses to come forward with information but we are also appealing to anyone else who may have CCTV footage which shows the vehicles coming into Burnley."

Anybody with information should contact police on 01282 425001.