A gang of thieves stole at least 13 four wheel drive vehicles valued at £150,000 from the forecourt of a Bradford garage in the early hours of today.

Police said the gang broke into a metal container at Senior Motors in Queens Road, Bolton, at 2am after forcing the padlock off a door.

Inside they stole the keys to at least 13 second-hand vehicles parked on the forecourt, including Range Rovers, Land Rover Discoveries, Ford Mavericks, Mitsubishi Shoguns and Suzuki Vitaras.

Detective Inspector George Marshall, of Bradford North CID, said: "They got into the office, found the keys, and over a period of time drove away at least 13 four wheel drive vehicles.

"We do not believe at this stage that a transporter was used, but our officers are still searching the area."

Clive Senior, 56, who runs Seniors dealership with his brother Peter, received a call from police at 4am telling him of the theft.

He said: "I was absolutely devastated. I am still in shock. Having one car stolen is bad enough but 13 is unbelievable. It's the first time that anything like this has happened before."

Mr Senior, who has been in the car business for more than 28 years, said the stolen vehicles were worth more than £150,000.