A KEIGHLEY gardening business preparing for this coming spring and summer has been dealt a blow after thieves stole one of its two vans.

Flaurel and Hardy Gardening Services, run by Lisa Collins and Karen Van Hes, had its white Suzuki Carry van taken from Keighley town centre some time between 7pm yesterday evening (March 14) and 10am today. (March 15)

Ms Collins, who lives off Halifax Road, Keighley, said: "What's really upsetting is the fact that this van would not be worth much to anyone else, but it's our livelihood.

"It's shocking that someone would bother with such an old van.

"And as it's just getting round to the gardening season, this is the time when we really need it.

"We've worked very hard on our business. We had spent hours planning our summer schedule, which would have seen each of us go out to jobs in one of our two vans.

"But now we're down to one vehicle, that won't be possible. And although we will carry on we may end up letting some customers down."

She said the stolen van contained about £200 worth of hand tools when it was taken.

Ms Collins, who joined the garden maintenance business last April after 25 years of working in IT, said the missing van has the registration FL04 UEC, and is decked out in the company's distinctive logo which features a pair of bowler hats.

Anyone with information on the theft, or who knows where the vehicle might be, should contact police on 101, quoting the crime reference number 13/80/23465.