by Chris Hunter

A Marden farmer believes thieves who stole into his farm overnight and dug up "a small orchard" of more than 300 apple trees will have problems making use of the haul.

A police investigation has been launched after 330 Ruben Apple trees were stolen from Little Sheephurst Farm between 7pm on Wednesday June 3 and 10.30am on Thursday June 4.

Police say a vehicle would have been needed to transport the trees, which had been planted in March 2009 after being imported from Italy to be grown exclusively by Mid Kent Growers.

Sixty-three of the trees were a new variety of red Ruben, grown exclusively on Little Sheephurst Farm.

Ken Jenner said: "I don't know what they want to do with them. The police thought we could try looking in boot fairs, but no gardener would plant apple trees now. You need a proper irrigation system - 330 trees is a small orchard."

He added: "It's almost seems as though they must know a bit about the industry if they wanted that variety."

Although Mr Jenner was insured he said he had been angered by the theft and hoped the culprits were caught.

"I was pretty fed up last week" he added.

Anyone who has been offered the trees, or has information, should police at Mid Kent Crime Unit on 01795 419182 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.