POLICE are appealing for witnesses after the theft of several thousand pounds worth of plant machinery from a property in Dowland, near Winkleigh at the weekend.

The theft took place between 5.30pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.

Several items were stolen, worth around £1,000 each, including a modified 2ft wide digger bucket, painted black and unused, and a 5ft specialist forestry rake, which is rusty with some red paint between the forks.

Police are appealing for anyone in the area that night who may have seen any suspicious activity, or anyone who has been offered such items since the weekend, to contact PC Sarah Jepp at Torrington Police Station on 08452 777444.