Farmers are being warned to be on the alert after the theft of hundreds of litres of diesel from two farms.

The warning from police comes after fuel thieves struck at Pluckley and Molash.

The first theft happened last Wednesday night. A dropside Ifor Williams trailer, worth £2,500, a green fuel bowser worth £1,000 and approximately 700 litres of red diesel worth £850 were stolen from near Pluckley. A quantity of timber was also taken.

In a second incident, 200 litres of diesel worth £3,000 was stolen from a lorry, which was parked in the yard of a farm in Shottenden Lane, Molash, overnight on Sunday.

Thieves also stole an Ifor Williams twin axel blue and white horse box, worth £8,000 from a farm in Canterbury Road, Challock.

The offenders broke the padlock off a gate and smashed a security light on a nearby barn.

It is believed they drove across a cornfield and through a hedge in a 4x4 vehicle. They also stole tack that was in the horse box.

Anyone with information about the Pluckley and Molash thefts should call police on 01303 289180.