BURGLARS stole a go-kart worth thousands of pounds after smashing their way into a Colne business.

The £2,700 vehicle was taken from Prestige Karting, on the Holker Business Centre, Burnley Road, after thieves climbed down pipes and kicked in a door.

Now a “gutted” company boss has launched an appeal for information in a bid to catch the culprits and get the go-kart back.

Managing director Paul Nuttall said: “When I came in to the premises in the morning and found what had happened I was absolutely gutted.

“I looked in and saw there were only nine karts instead of 10 and I saw the door wide open and I realised what had gone on.

“What they have stolen is specialised equipment worth a lot of money.

“We use them in the local community through Lancashire County Council so it will affect the kids we work with too.

“These burglars are just leeches. They don’t understand what prob-lems they cause.”

Police are now studying the firm’s CCTV in a bid to unearth clues to the break-in, which also caused £800 of damage.

The footage shows two white men in their late teens or early 20s outside the premises, dressed in light-coloured hoodies.

There were also reports of the go-kart being driven down Burnley Road shortly after the incident, which occurred at around 11pm on Sunday.

Mr Nuttall added: “Hopefully this will jog people’s memories and they may come forward with information.

“The go-kart was black, white and red so it was very distinctive.”

However, he said the criminals may have changed its appearance.

Sgt Caroline Rigby, from Colne police, urged witnesses to come forward.

Call police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.