THIEVES have stolen £10,000 worth of equipment from Radcliffe business premises after apparently climbing on top of wheelie bins to gain entry to a yard.

Businessman Tariq Mahmood is checking local scrapyards in his quest to recover six compressors and six blowers taken from his Arien Refrigeration Service base in the town's Caledonia Street.

Mr Mahmood said the break-in occurred sometime between last Friday evening and Saturday morning and believes the thieves must have used to truck to drive away the stolen equipment.

"I believe the compressors and blowers were taken for their copper," said Mr Mahmood. Despite speaking to those living close to the premises, he has yet to trace anyone who witnessed the theft.

"They must have come in a big truck, but no-one seems to have heard or seen anything," he said. "Over the last few days I've been ringing around scrapyards in the hope that some of the compressors and blowers may turn up."

Mr Mahmood said it appeared the raiders stood on wheelie bins taken from neighbouring homes to climb over the yard fence to where the equipment was stored. A padlock was also damaged.

The businessman, who repairs fridges and coldrooms, launched his business in Rochdale in 1979 and has only had a presence in Radcliffe for the past six months. Mr Mahmood has also disclosed that he was not insured

"It was something that I was always going to do tomorrow but I didn't get round to it. I'm self employed and a sold trader."

Greater Manchester Police say they are investigating the break-in. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.