A business owner is appealing for the public's help in tracing his stolen van.

Reg Franks, 70, says his carpet van - signwritten with SuShades Carpet Market - was stolen from his drive in Lowers Street, Eastry, near Sandwich yesterday around lunchtime.

The white Mazda with registration X641 WRR was secured at the time and contained only a quarter of a tank of petrol.

But inside, it held Mr Frank's collection of tools - worth hundreds of pounds - which together with his vehicle he relies on to carry out work.

One witness claims to have seen the van in Cottington Link Road in Ramsgate where the van stickers and paperwork from inside the vehicle have today been found.

SuShades Carpet Market is based in Woodnesborough Road in Sandwich and has has been trading since 1966.

He said: "I've got work commitments and I've had to cancel them.

"I can't think what benefit it would be to them.

"It's an old van but they say the engines go on forever.

"We've just got to do our best to try and sort it out."

He has asked that anyone who has seen it or has information on where it might be, to get in touch via 01304 614013.

He would particularly like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage who was driving on the A256 near Subway yesterday lunchtime.

A spokesman said: "Kent Police was contacted at 2.30pm on Wednesday, February 26 2020 about a report that a van had been stolen from outside an address in Lower Street, Eastry.

"Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing."

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