Thieves hoping to make a clean break have made off with three vacuum cleaners from a shop in Tenterden.

A man took three VAX vacuum cleaners from the Original Factory Store in the High Street at around 2.20pm yesterday.

He was followed and challenged by a member of staff, and then handed the items to a member of the public in the street, before running off towards Waitrose supermarket car park area.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged approximately 30 years old.

He was 6ft 2in tall, with short dark hair, of average build, and was wearing a grey and black polo top, dark jeans and white trainers.

He was with another man described as white around 50 years old, 5ft 10in tall, with receding light colour hair and was wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.

Police would like to speak to the member of the public who the suspect gave the stolen items to and anyone else around in the High Street who may have witnessed the incident.

If you can help please call PC Zoe Wilczek on 07969 584284.