A private contractor is hoping witnesses will remember seeing this distinctive bright yellow truck stolen on Thursday evening.

The six-wheeled converted Range Rover truck can drive on road or rail and is used by Maidstone-based land management company Contracked Lands to carry out maintenance work for private railways.

Thieves stole the vehicle after breaking through palisade fencing to get into a shipping site on a farm in Sandling Maidstone, between 7pm and 9.30pm.

Owner David Conroy says the crooks emptied the truck of its contents and loaded it up with other items found on site - including water pumps, strimmers and tools - before making their getaway.

He said: “Essentially they used the truck to cart away equipment.

I think they came on purpose but I don’t think they knew what they were after - it was spontaneous.

“I’ve no idea who did it.”

He said the theft had already had a negative effect on business, forcing him to spend money on securing the site and would undoubtedly lead to an increase his insurance.

And he added: “the vehicle wouldn’t sell much on the open market but I can’t buy another one like that.

“It’s a tremendous amount of hassle.”

Anyone with information on the vehicle’s whereabouts is asked to contact police in Maidstone on 01622 690055 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.