A VEHICLE firm is at the centre of a stolen goods probe after police raided the premises and carried out a three-day search.

Officers visited Frank Owen Commercial Vehicle Spares, after a man alleged his stolen van had been stripped and crushed there.

The business in Accrington Road, Hapton, was cordoned off following the complaint.

Two men, aged 59 and 35, from Burnley and Rossendale, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

The 59-year-old was also arrested for resisting arrest.

Both were questioned and released on police bail pending further inquiries. The complaint was made on Monday.

Officers carried out a search of Frank Owen and seized a number of vehicle parts.

Another firm, Enviro Skips Ltd, shares a site with the business but police said its search focussed on Frank Owen Commercial Vehicle Spares.

Last night it was not known if officers would return to the site today to continue their search.

A force spokesman said: "A member of the public reported that he had seen a vehicle he suspected was a van stolen from him in the Manchester area earlier this month at Frank Owen Commercial Vehicle.

"Officers have attended and a search of the premises has been conducted by officers from Burnley and the force's stolen vehicle squad. Some property has been seized and inquiries are ongoing.

"Two males, a 35-year-old and a 59-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and have been released on police bail."

The company declined to comment on the investigation.

Yesterday police were guarding the entrance to the business and turning away people.

Some vehicles were checked by police as they left the site.

A resident in nearby Valley Gardens, who did not want to be named, said: "It has been closed since Monday."