Thieves stole more than £1,500 of tools from a DIY store in west Oxford.

The gang broke into the Botley Road branch at around 3am on Saturday through the outdoor and garden supplies yard at the back of the store.

They stole 22 Wickes own-brand four-piece power tool set worth £60 each. Five own-brand work benches worth £15 and seven 149-piece drill sets worth £20 were also taken.

Det Con Melanie Duce, of the Oxford Burglary Team, said: "We believe there were a number of people involved in this burglary because of the large amount of very heavy equipment stolen.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious or heard heavy machinery being used in the area that night or in the preceding weeks.

"We are also warning the public to be on the look out for these items on sale at greatly reduced prices - for example at markets, car boot sales or on Internet auction sites.

"As these are Wickes branded items, they would not normally be on sale elsewhere."

Anyone with information should telephone police on 08458 505505.