THERE has been a spate of thefts of valuable horse trailers on the outskirts of Bolton.

Police are linking the four incidents which occurred within a few weeks of each other.

The trailers were top of the range and worth around £3,000 each.

A blue Ifor Williams Multiax HB510R horse trailer was stolen from a farm on Ringley Road West, Stoneclough, on July 9, between 9.30am and 1.30pm. The chassis number was SCK0000030370109. Overnight, on July 10, a red Ifor Williams trailer, with chassis number 311166, was taken from a farm in Manchester Road, Kearsley.

Thieves also made off with an Ifor Williams 505 horse trailer, chassis number 337344X, from a farm in Ringley Road West, Stoneclough, between 7pm on July 15, and 6am on July 16.

Lastly, an Ifor Williams HB505R horse trailer was stolen from Cemetery Road, Kearsley, between 6pm on Sunday July 18 and 9am the following day. The serial number of the blue and white trailer is 243758.

The thieves must have used transport, possibly a van or a 4x4 vehicle, to tow the trailers away, police say.

Sgt Ian Coop from Bolton Police said: "We believe the trailers were stolen to order.

"There is a possibility they have gone abroad, maybe Ireland, where they are worth a lot of money."

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .