Thousands of pounds worth of tools and a trailer were stolen from a construction firm in north Norfolk.

Thaxters Timber and Forestry Ltd in Hunworth Road, Holt was targeted overnight on Sunday/Monday.

Thieves stole an Ifor Williams twin axle caged trailer from the site to transport the stolen goods.

Ross Smith, one of the owners, said: 'It happened on Sunday evening or Monday morning, between 10pm and 2am. Our premises were broken into and our workshops were cleared out of thousands of pounds worth of tools leaving us with nothing.

'They completely cleaned us out and must have spent two to three hours on the site. They took railway sleepers, cement, but the tools was the biggest.

'Stock was also taken, damage caused and, to add to the insult, they stole our Ifor Williams trailer to transport it all out.'

He said that manufacturing at the site had to finish early on Monday because they did not have enough equipment to make anything.

He added: 'Thanks to very kind customers and friends we are now back up and running. This is the first time this has happened to us.

'We are a fairly new business, having taken over from the previous owners about four or five years ago. It's a bit of a shock.'

Ten people work at the firm, and Mr Smith added: 'We have gained some brilliant evidence so hopefully this group will come to justice very soon.

'We just wanted to raise the awareness with our customers so they can also spread the word to stop this from affecting more people.

'Thank you for all the support already given and to Norfolk Constabulary for being pro-active in their response.'

A Norfolk police spokesman said: 'Suspects forced entry to a number of outbuildings and workshops at the location. They stole a number of power tools, generators and a trailer.

'The burglary is being linked with another incident at a workshop belonging to a haulage company on the same site, around the same time, so there are two burglaries being investigated.'

anyone with information should call Norfolk police on 101.