THIEVES are stealing valuable stone from Ribble Valley and Burnley beauty spots -- in some cases removing entire sections of wall.

And the police are calling on the general public to help them crack what has is becoming a major problem of rural crime.

The thieves are targeting stone troughs, coping stones, stone ornaments and gateposts, as well as ancient, landscaped walls.

The villages particularly affected are Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Pendleton, in the Ribble Valley and Hurstwood and Worsthorne in Burnley.

Insp Bob Ford, of Clitheroe Police, said: "Some of the thefts have taken place in daylight, with entire sections of walls being removed. In others, thieves have struck in the early hours. They are using a variety of vehicles to remove the stone.

"Some of the items are irreplaceable and considerable damage is being caused to walls in their removal. In some cases the items are of high value and the total value of items stolen recently is running into several thousands of pounds."

Insp Ford said the thieves were obviously surveying the villages concerned, then returning to steal the items.

He continued: "The offences are also occuring in the Padiham area, which is covered by the Pennine Division, and we are working closely with police there to target the thieves.

"We need the general public to help us solve this problem, as the character of our rural areas is being destroyed by these selfish thieves."

Anyone who sees anything suspicious, or has any information, is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.