A PAIR of Minis reminiscent of the ones used in the original Italian Job movie have stolen from Richard Cort Rover dealership in Bury., late on Sunday night.

The Blackford Bridge based dealership, which believes the "job" had been carefully planned and executed, have offered a £1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Thieves broke into the ladies toilets late on Saturday night and used a gas cylinder to hammer a large hole into an office to steal the car keys. They flooded the building before driving the Mini Coopers away.

A passer-by alerted police after seeing people in the building. The alarm system failed because the thieves avoided going into the show room. Mr Richard Cort, managing director, said: "Whilst this sort of thing is infuriating, we do live in a world where worse things happen.

"Fortunately no was injured. It's just a shame these people don't channel their efforts into something more productive."

Following the raid, security at the Manchester Road dealership has been upgraded. Detectives are studying video footage for clues.

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