THIEVES who broke into an aerospace factory stole almost £200,000-worth of tools and aerospace blades.

Police in Pendle are appealing for help in tracking down two white men who were seen driving off in a dark-coloured Sherpa type van, which could possibly have had a logo on its roof.

The incident occured on Saturday afternoon at Ceratex, Church Lane, when thieves entered the yard and used a crowbar to force their way into the factory.

The haul included 24 titanium aerospace blades, worth £192,000, four titanium blades, worth £200, square rotor blades, worth £1,250, a red tool box containing precision tools, taps and dyes, worth £1,500, a red tool box containing titanium tools worth £1,300 and a Metabo drill.

DS Ruth Chew, of Nelson CID, said: "It is on a little lane in Kelbrook which is only a small village, so someone must have seen something."

Managing director Mark Redwood, said: "We have caught a Sherpa van on CCTV which was dark-coloured with a light stripe down the side of it and a white 'A' above the windscreen.

"As far as the stolen items go, I can only think they might be able to get scrap value for them. This kind of thing has been taken before by opportunist thieves and generally ends up in a scrap yard."

Anyone with information should contact Nelson CID on 01282 472644.