VANDALS caused thousands of pounds worth of damage when they ram raided five garage workshop units in Bury.

They repeatedly reversed a stolen car into the steel doors and shutters of the units at the town's Chesham industrial estate in Oram Street.

Many of the companies based at the Bury Council-owned estate had to curtail business on Wednesday (Oct 18) because of the damage sustained to their premises.

Police say intruders clambered up to the roof of the row of six units and entered one of the workshops.

They grabbed a set of keys, opened the unit and drove out a Ford Ka which was undergoing repair. The thugs then used the vehicle to smash the doors of five adjoining units.

Some of the damaged workshops were then entered and a quantity of tools stolen. The extensively damaged car was left behind at the scene.

A Bury Council security patrol discovered the damage at 1.45am on Wednesday.

One workshop owner, Mr Arthur Goodwin, was forced to use an oxy-acetylene torch to remove his damaged steel door to gain entry.

"When I got inside, I found some of the workshop tools had been stolen," he said.

Mr Goodwin, who has run his Arty's Autos from the premises during the last three years, added: "It took an hour to remove the door and because of what's happened, I've had to stop business for the day."

Police say the thieves stole a car radio and speakers before escaping. The Ford Ka was removed from the scene to undergo forensic examination.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Bury's operational police unit on 856 8157.