THIEVES made off with £5,000 worth of equipment in an early morning raid at an Ulverston scrapyard today (Saturday).

A spokesman for Cumbria police said the offenders used cutting torches to open the main gates at Morgan's Scrapyard, on Morecambe Road, and stole a large quantity of scrap copper and brass to the value of £5,000. Two Stihl saws were also taken.

"Offenders are believed to have used a vehicle possibly a large transit van," the spokesman said. "In making off from the yard the vehicle was in a collision with nearby scaffolding which must have made quite a lot of noise and alerted local residents and passers-by.

"In addition the vehicle was fully laden with stolen metal and may have brought attention to passing motorists as they drove away from the area."

Anyone with information should contact DC Mark Pollock at Ulverston CID on 0845 3300247.