Business hit after raiders take firs

Raiders have stolen 40 Christmas trees from a farm shop in Staffordshire.

A lorry and garden ornaments were also stolen in the raid on Moss Farm on the A5 near Norton Canes.

The farm has had to stop selling trees in the wake of the break-in because a machine used for putting netting around the branches was also stolen.

The shop is operating as normal and the lorry has been recovered.

Farm owner Neville Emery, who runs the business with his daughter Nina, said the raiders had smashed the door to the store room to take the lorry which was locked up inside.

They are believed to have loaded it up with about 40 netted trees, which formed the bulk of tree stock, the machine and garden ornaments. Mr Emery said he discovered the break-in at 3.30am on Thursday and called the police.

The lorry was found dumped at 9.30am that day in Featherstone, near Wolverhampton. Mr Emery, who has been at the farm since 1977, said that he could not put a value on what had been stolen.

"We had only had the trees for four or five days. There is no point us ordering any more without the netter. We have had to give up on Christmas tree sales for this year," he added.