A BLOOD sampling machine, one of only three in the UK, has been stolen from a car in Prestwich.

The "Tecan" blood tester, worth £23,000, is used for examining samples for transfusion.

Police say the equipment was taken from a black Ford Mondeo parked outside a house in Park Place between Saturday night (Oct 7) and the following morning.

Anyone who can assist should contact Bury's operational police unit on 856 8157.