An expensive farming vehicle has been returned to its owner after being found dumped in the woods.

The stolen John Deere Gator, worth more than £10,000, was found in a wooded area off the A2 in Dover on Tuesday (May 17) by a local farmer.

An off-duty police officer, who works for the Rural Task Force (RTF), was quickly able to identify that the vehicle had been stolen on Sunday (May 15) and worked with patrols to get it returned to the victim.

Enquiries remain ongoing to identify those responsible for the theft, with witnesses or anyone with information urged to come forward.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in relation to the stolen Gator, or has details which could assist officers, should call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/93249/22.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete their online form.

The RTF is a specialist team made up of officers who are dedicated to tackling and investigating rural crime.

They work closely with a number of partner agencies including the RSPCA, RSPB, Environment Agency and local authorities to address issues that blight communities including burglaries, livestock worrying and hare-coursing.

It is recognised that people living in rural areas may feel isolated so the team has developed more efficient means of communication such as Farm Watch, which ensures a quick way for residents to report and share information.