Raiders have dealt a major a blow to a Driffield joinery business by stealing a large stock of timber.

Staff at CB Solutions were shocked to discover the theft of about eight tons of specialist timber products, worth up to £15,000.

Thieves used bolt-croppers to cut padlocks and chains from gates at the business's manufacturing factory in Eastfield Park at Lissett, near Driffield.

The large haul of non-slip wooden decking was then loaded by hand on to a truck in the overnight raid.

Police are appealing for information about the raid or the whereabouts of the timber.

Fed-up business owner Chris Burrell, 51, said: "It is a blow to the business because the stolen decking was for a number of orders around the country.

"Some of the timber was for outdoor smoking areas at pubs owned by the national chain JD Wetherspoon.

"It is now a case of all hands to the pumps to manufacture a new batch as quickly as possible so we can fulfil these important orders."

CB Solutions, which has headquarters in Bridlington Road, Beeford, is having CCTV systems fitted in a bid to tighten security.

The business manufactures and fits the patented Aggredeck non-slip timber decking and fire door systems.

Mr Burrell said: "It was a shock to discover so much stock had been stolen, and it must have taken the thieves quite some time to load it on to their lorry.

"They must have known what they wanted because they only picked out the hardwood decking, and it could even have been stolen to order."

Raiders struck at CB Solutions between 6pm last Monday and 6.40am on Tuesday.

Information about the incident, the thieves or the timber can be given to Humberside Police by calling 0845 6060222.